Essay Questions

How do Hans Christian Anderson's religious beliefs influence his writing?

Hans Christian Anderson was a devout Christian, and aspects of his faith can be seen in his writing. For example, in his tale "The Little Mermaid", the young mermaid princess wants to marry a human as this is the only way she can obtain a soul. Without it, although she will live long as a mermaid, she cannot obtain eternal life as humans can.

At the end of the tale, the princess sacrifices her own life for the prince, and in doing so she is rewarded with eternal life. In this tale we can see aspects of the Christian faith, in the idea that a person must earn their place in heaven.

What lessons might Hans Christian Anderson be hoping to teach his readers?

Many of Hans Christian Anderson's stories have a "moral", or lesson. In "The Ugly Duckling", Anderson warns against judging and underestimating others based on their appearance. He instead advocates being compassionate and kind to others, especially those who might seem like an "outsider." He also teaches those who might feel like an outsider to have faith and confidence in themselves.

In "The Emperor's New Suit", Anderson warns against narcissism. The king is so self-consumed and proud, he cannot admit to himself that he is not wearing anything. The tale also warns against social compliance, as nobody spoke up and told the truth as they were scared about what others would think.