Hans Christian Andersen

When navigating our way through the time era of Hans Christen Anderson, there comes many a time when we must pause and ask ourselves, why did he write this? What message was he proposing? What role does this character play in the story? Often times there are many answers that can be taken either as a matter of fact or as debatable. No one knows the true mind of the great author, but of course himself, hence, whatever words I may write is only a speculation of a mere high school student. Knowing this, however I am able to move on and go with my first instinct as to why such an intriguing, but poor, Dutch man would leave all friends behind and embark on a voyage of his own creation. He lived in a world of his own; many authors can attest this is useful in how to stay in a constant mindset of new literary ideas. Yet, to Hans, it was more than that. He didn't just exist and thrive in a world of his own doing, but he depended on his characters. He co- existed with them, much like a schizophrenic has illusions and conversations with his imaginary friends. Just as the danger of putting a schizophrenic on medicine to cure him is potentially fatal that is what it was to Hans.

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When Hans was in his darkest hours his best characters came to life. When Hans saw the world for what it really was; dark, unintelligent, cruel, and pitiless, he sought to find some way to correct it; his way just happened to be through stories we have filed down and made kid friendly. I am here today to possibly ruin your childhood, but more or less try to break down and help you jump into the very mind and psychological being of Anderson yourself.
Many people today in our culture know his stories, whether they realize it or not, before we are even in elementary school, especially if we are American young girls, have seen and recognize the Disney movie, A Little Mermaid. The true story, according to the original manuscript, would probably horrify, and if you are like me, intrigue