This week, I chose to read the compilation of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen.
The Princess and the Pea: I was surprised at how short this story was. I have certainly read versions of this story that were much longer and more detailed. I have always been confused as to why the prince only wanted a princess who was so delicate that she could detect a pea under twenty mattresses and that this would disturb her throughout the night. This never seemed feasible to me; the ruler of a land should be tougher than that, in my opinion.
The Emperor's New Suit: Another story of a leader of a nation who seems unfit to rule. This emperor does not seem useful in the affairs of his state (nor, as it turns out, do his "honest" advisors). This is one of those stories that I can hardly read out of embarrassment for everyone in the story due to the dramatic irony. It is wonderful that the one who calls everyone out on their foolishness is an innocent child--it just goes to show that those who are usually seen as the most naive perhaps embrace it better or are less ashamed of their naivety.
The Wicked Prince: The price to pay for pride as intense as this prince has is surely great humiliation. I didn't think he was so foolish in waging war with neighboring countries, but his attempt to conquer God certainly would lead to his downfall. It is ironic that the prince spends seven years to build up his army; this is a very biblical number. I'm not sure of its exact significance in this story--either way, I am glad that God chose something as small as a gnat to bring about the fall of the wicked prince, and I hope that the prince learned his lesson.
The Little Match-Seller: This was the first story in this unit that I had never read before. What a bittersweet story! It was heartbreaking to read about the little girl's home life, but I am glad that she spent her last day warm and happy and surrounded by (what she perceived as) beautiful things.
The Little Mermaid:
Part 1: This introduction gave the reader a wonderful description of the beauty that is the Sea King's domain. As someone living on land, I would love to see what life would be like under the sea--I guess this is how the youngest mermaid felt too: it is apparently in everyone's nature to not be content with knowing only what s/he already has, but to want to see how the other half lives.
Part 2: It is shocking sometimes how we forget to think of ourselves when someone or something else who is the object of our affection (or infatuation) is in danger. The little mermaid certainly displays this as she strives to save the prince from the storm, all the while forgetting that a piece of the ship could come crashing down on her at any moment and kill her. I did feel bad for her that the prince didn't realize that the mermaid was the one who had rescued him.
Part 3: The wisdom of the mermaid's grandmother is different from any advice that I have ever heard. Andersen certainly came up with an interesting comparison to humans' and merpeople's lives. It was heartbreaking to read at the end of this excerpt, however, the mermaid's decision. The risks that she takes and what she is willing to give up will not turn into fruitful gains in the end, especially not with the advice of the sea witch.
Part 4: Again, it is shocking sometimes the lengths that one would go to in order to find love. The description of the sea witch's lair is terrifying and it would certainly make me turn back and find another way. The little mermaid's perseverance is admirable but questionable--is there no other way to win the love of the prince? Even the witch says that the mermaid's wish is stupid and that it would bring her sorrow, but the mermaid still goes along with the witch's plan. To attempt to gain the favor of a prince who does not even acknowledge her existence by growing excruciating painful legs and losing her biggest asset--her ability not only to sing, but to communicate her thoughts and reason--the entire time I read this part, I questioned the mermaid's sanity. Finally, it should have been a warning sign that the evil polyps guarding the path to the witch's lair shrank away in fear of the potion: that alone should have deterred her from drinking the draught.
Part 5: The dramatic irony in this section was heartbreaking to read. I so wished that the little mermaid could just tell the prince that she was the one who had saved his life, whom he longed for, but due to her bargain with the sea witch, the maiden obviously couldn't. I felt frustrated for her, but I also felt frustrated at her because she did not seem to be bothered by this. The prince's reassurance that he would rather marry her than the daughter of the neighboring kingdom's ruler seems to satisfy her, but I didn't feel that she should have been content with that--if only she could tell him her story.
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