Michael Andersen Study Guide

In the essay “Hans Christian Andersen and the Discourse of the Dominated,” Jack Zipes explains how the role of social status and class were important in the life of Andersen, as well as how the inequality assignments were used in this author’s writings. It is explained that Anderson was “the son of a poor cobbler and a washerwoman,” and was “embarrassed by his proletarian background.” Andersen’s goal was to be accepted be by the upper-class, and he “regarded royalty with awe and admiration and found a special pleasure in being accepted by and associating with kings, dukes and princes, and the nobility at home and abroad” (82). It is ironic that the Collins family, who adopted him, thought that he would never achieve fame as an author (85).

Although the stories may be different, Gogol’s “The Nose”, “The Overcoat”, and “Diary of a Madman”, produce the same effects: a critique and truthful outlook, whether tragic or satirical, of Russia’s nineteenth-century social climate and workplace hierarchy.

I argue that the representation of death in Andersen’s tale acts to socialize children on matters of death. One of the aims of the fairy tale was considered to be the socialization of children as children were seen to be a blank tabula raza, they needed to be taught moral lessons but also entertained at the same time. The Victorian’s preoccupation with death in literature, such as school readers, also helped to socialize children with the reality of death, that it was ‘ever at hand’ (McGeorge 116). Andersen’s fairy tale can be read in such a light especially when given context on child life and labour during this period. Child labour was not an uncommon sight in the 19th century, and even more common was the sight of child working on streets (Cockburn 36). Villerme, in his study on physical and mental state of workers in mills, touches upon child

Written in the early 1800s in Denmark, “The Little Mermaid” is an excellent display of a mix of Danish mythology, beliefs, and society. Denmark is a country that has always been heavily reliant on water, as it and its surrounding lands are surrounded by it. Thus, a large portion of their mythology revolves around the ocean and its creatures, such as mermaids. In the beginning of the 19th century, a public education system was set up in Denmark, which prompted an enormous influx of literature and philosophy. Among such literary works came “The Little Mermaid”, written by Hans Christian Andersen. Andersen is known for his writing style and the way characters act and respond. “His very first tale, ‘The Tinder Box’, opens in a

This paper focuses on two books, the picture book and realistic novel. I am hopeful while doing a critical analysis of these two books that it would help me to create an effective mini library in my future classroom. I would like to use it as a helpful tool to teach children how to compare the differences and similarities of the two genres and many more. I have chosen Corduroy as my picture book and Because of Winn-Dixie as my realistic novel to write on this written critique because it signifies the moral lessons about family importance and friendship.

Hans Christian Andersen is known for his accomplishment in literature, particularly fairytales. His global success made him an iconic figure in history, yet the tales of his love life all ended in tragedy. How did a person with fame and wealth fail to find romantic love? His first love was Riborg Voigt who he met in 1830, one of Andersen’s old school friend’s sister. Unfortunately, she was already engaged which destroyed Andersen’s heart as he said in his diary “Oh, God has tried me harshly, almost too harshly. She is the most innocent, delightful creature I know, but engaged, the bride of another!”. His next heartache was Jenny Lind, a Swedish soprano with whom Andersen became infatuated with in 1843. Andersen had trouble proposing to Jenny

Hans Christian Andersen was born off the coast of Denmark on the island of Fyn, in Odense. He started with a basic education and tried ballet, singing, and pantomiming which he was particularly awkward at. Chancellor Jones Collins helped finance Hans’ education. Because of this funding Hans’ has become one of the immortals of literature. Making children come to life is what he specializes in. Thesis statement Here

Peter Christen Asbjornsen’s East of the Sun and West of the Moon is a Norwegian fairy tale that revolves around the journey of a young woman who is unknowingly married off to a prince trapped in the form of a polar bear. She is forbidden see him at night and is put through an impossible trial once she discovers his identity. Likewise, Apuleius’ version of Cupid and Psyche tells of Psyche, a beautiful young woman, who finds herself unknowingly married to Cupid. She too is forbidden from discovering his identity by night however, her curiosity leads her to uncover the truth and she is put through various trials in order to win back Cupid. To tell these remarkable tales, Asbjornsen and Apuleius both implement eerily similar themes to present an

Both Roald Dahl and Edgar Allan Poe were authors who wrote short stories and novels that had the public on the edge of their seats. They both wrote suspenseful, scary, sometimes surprising stories. They both received the fame, but for Poe, no fortune. Both have passed, but their stories will not any time soon. This essay has the purpose of dissecting some of the most famous stories by these two authors. The writing style of these two famous authors will be pitted against each other not in a battle of brute strength, but rather a battle of pen and paper, of words and rhymes, of fantasy and reality. Shall we begin?

In Scandinavian literature, writers use journeys as symbols of change and rebirth. Through the journeys, the characters discover the unknown aspects of their lives, recognize their worlds for what they are, and choose the future they want to pursue. Some characters make sacrifice on their journeys in order to experience the unseen beauty and to seek spiritual contentment. The little mermaid in Hans Christian Andersen’s story voluntarily sacrificed her fishtail and tongue for a wisp of love from the prince after her first trip to the world above. Abbot Hans in “The Legend of the Christmas Roses” risked his life on the trip to see the Lord’s garden at Christmas Eve. The main characters in “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Red Shoes” were driven to

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” is a deeply immersive and intriguing story about a woman who rejoices at the freedom that her husband’s apparent death leaves her. The story is highly effective in surprising the reader, as well as succinctly impressing upon the reader its themes and symbols. Chopin’s message to the reader is exceptionally clear: Louise Mallard, along with countless other married women in the 19th century, is restrained in her marriage. Chopin conveys this message through powerful figurative and language and, most importantly, symbolism. Important symbols in “The Story of an Hour” include Mrs. Mallard’s heart, the window, and the house.

The book Forty Stories, by Anton Chekhov and Robert Payne, explores many short stories about the trials and tribulations of medieval day Russians with their government and everyday actions, and the differences in class in their society. These stories range from funny and irony, like the story Joy, to a classic Cinderella love story, Green Scythe, to sad Government stories, like Sergeant Prishibeyev. The differences in class are very large and are most attributed to the government that is breathing down everyone's neck.

Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, “The Butterfly” was published near the latter part of his career around 1862. At this point, his fairy tales and stories were no longer intended for children, and although this story could be told to children it has a sophisticated edge and meaning which is clearly intended for an older audience. On the surface this tale, number 111, is the story of a butterfly who wished to be married, but waited too long and ended up alone. It first appears that the point of the tale is a social one which refers to the pressure of society making a single man feel like he should be married. Yet, the interest of this tale is not the mere echo of society’s expectations for a young man, but how Andersen created in two and

Although, the words were never actually uttered by Sherlock Holmes, the phrase “Elementary, my dear Watson,” has been stuck in minds since Arthur Conan Doyle first wrote about the famous detective. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, widely known for his stories about the great detective Sherlock Holmes, was born into poverty in Edinburg, Scotland on May 22, 1859. Doyle’s early life and later experiences with his medical career and religion helped influence stories centered around his most famous series and detective, Sherlock Holmes, along with Holmes’ best friend, John Watson. His early interest in Edgar Allen Poe’s style of Gothicism also helped mold his writing style later in life. Living in England and Scotland, and serving in the Boer War, his

The next day swallow visited the harbor and at night he came to the prince and the prince again requested him to stay for one night more as he could see a little match girl weeping because of lost of matches. The swallow said that he could not stay because here is too cold but he agreed to do so. Happy prince said the swallow to give his other eye sapphire to her. Swallow did not want to do it but prince ordered to do so. So he plucked the sapphire and gave it to her. Then he returned and told the prince that he will live with him always. Next day she told the prince the stories what he has seen in strange lands. The prince said the swallow that he is covered with fine gold so take of the gold and give it to poor. The swallowed took of the gold and gave it to the poor. Then the snow came and swallow became colder and feeble. And at last he knew that he was going to die he said the prince good bye. He replied that he was happy that he is going to Egypt at last but swallow said that he is not going to Egypt he is going to the house of death. He kissed on his lips and fell down dead at his feet. At the same time a loud shriek was heard the reason was that the leaden heart of prince was broken into two pieces. The next day the mayor of the city came he saw the statue and ordered to bring the statue to furnace to be melted and build his own statue as it was no longer beautiful. But the leaden heart of the