Hans Christian Andersen “The Little Mermaid” By: Amber, Kristen, Karissa, and Raechel

Hans Christian Andersen “The Little Mermaid”

• By: Amber, Kristen, Karissa, and Raechel

Biography

• Born: April 2nd, 1805 in Odense, Denmark

• The only child of Hans Andersen and Anna Maria Andersdatter

• Danish author and poet

Attended Copenhagen University

• Attended Copenhagen University

• While there, he wrote his first poem, “The Dying Child” published in the Copenhagen Post in 1827

Andersen had a keen interest in other cultures. During the course of his life he traveled extensively throughout Europe and wrote a number of travel books

• Andersen had a keen interest in other cultures. During the course of his life he traveled extensively throughout Europe and wrote a number of travel books

• Hans Christian Andersen achieved much success for his work and was made Honorary Citizen of Odense in 1867

• After battling liver cancer, Andersen died in his home on August 4th, 1875 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Hans Christian Andersens’ Works

• “The Little Mermaid”

• Written in 1836

• About a sea king and his five daughters. When each of his daughters turns 15, they are allowed to travel to land. When the youngest daughter gets her turn, she travels above the water and saves a handsome prince from drowning. The Little Mermaid falls in love with the prince and longs to become a human. The Little Mermaid visits a sea witch who gives her a potion which gives her legs and everything else human, except she loses her ability to talk. The prince falls in love with the little mermaid, but is forced to marry a neighboring princess. The next morning her mermaid sisters bring her a knife to kill the prince so she will turn into a mermaid again but she can’t bring herself to do it. The next morning the little mermaid throws herself into the sea, and turns into foam.

Andersens’ Works (cont.)

• “The Ugly Duckling”

• Written in 1843

• Tells a story of a duckling ostracized by his fellow barnyard friends because of his perceived homeliness. To his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a graceful swan, the most beautiful bird of all.

Andersens’ Works (cont.)

• “The Princess and the Pea”

• Written in 1835

• Tells a story of a prince looking for a “real” princess. One night during a storm a girl showed up at his door saying she was a real princess, so the queen let her in. She was sent to a room with twenty mattresses, and underneath was a pea. The next morning the princess complained that she had slept horribly. Right then, everyone knew she was a real princess. The prince married her and they lived happily ever after.

Andersens’ Works (cont.)

• “The Emperor’s New Suit”

• Written in 1872

• Tells the story of an emperor whose only ambition is to be well-dressed is swindled by two men who claim to weave cloth that is invisible to the eyes of the un-worthy.

Connection

• His father often took him to the local playhouse in order to nurture his creative side.

• Hans Chrisitan Andersen loved to dance and sing, and also had a vivid imagination that found its way into his writing.

• His child-like imagination reflected in his children’s fairy tales, such as:

• The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, Hansel and Gretel, The Ugly Duckling, and the Emperors New Suit