Hans Christian Andersen 1805-1875 His Life and His Fairy Tales

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Hans Christian Andersen1805-1875His Life and
His Fairy Tales
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His Life

• Born in 1805 in Odense, Denmark
• Father was a shoemaker, mother was a washerwoman
• Spent time with his grandmother who worked at the
  local insane asylum
• Always different from the other boys--he made up
  stories, created paper dolls and puppets.

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His Life

• Moved to Copenhagen at age 14, he was taken under
  the wing of a local patron of the arts
• Spent most of life representing Odense and
  Copenhagen ideals floating
• Most traveled Danish writer of his time spent 9
  years outside of Denmark
• Died of cancer in 1875 buried in Assistens
  Cemetary, Copenhagen

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The Fairy Tales

• Some based on traditional folk tales much like
  the tales of the Brothers Grimm most are
  original works
• Religious undertone usually present undogmatic
  Christianity, focusing on bond to human nature
  (ex The Little Mermaids original ending had her
  dying and moving on to a purgatory state)
• The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen are
  closely linked with his life experiences...

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THEMES

• Shoes - his dad was a cobbler
• The odd-man out Many describe Andersen as
  stork-like, and he was very aware of how people
  perceived him.
• Two distinct worldviews 1. The simple peasant
  view of the world held by his mom vs. 2. The
  progressive worldview held by his father. These
  are two strong and opposing forces that pervade
  many of the tales.
• A fondness for his grandmother, whom Hans was
  very close to as a child.

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Fairy Tales-Recognize any?

• The Steadfast Tin Soldier
• The Dung Beetle
• Grandmother
• The Ugly Duckling
• The Red Shoes
• The Toad
• The Emperors New Clothes
• The Brave Tin Soldier

• The Girl Who Trod on a Loaf
• The Drop of Water
• The Philosophers Stone
• The Little Mermaid
• Thumbelina
• The Flea and the Professor
• The Fir Tree

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• The Fairy Tales of Hans Andersen are as popular
  today as they were during his lifetime, over 150
  years ago

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• Read your groups designated section of The
  Little Mermaid. Make note of the following as
  you read
• Where you see Hans Andersens life/values
  reflected
• Differences between this version and the Disney
  version
• Reflection of Danish culturewhat might this tell
  us about the culture of the Danes/what they
  value?
• Elements of timelessnesswhat makes this story so
  enduring?

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• Many of Hans Andersens fairy tales are similar
  in theme to The Little Mermaid. Why are they so
  timeless?
• How can we apply these understandings to our
  trip? (think personally and politically)