Paul Binding, a literary critic who penned a book about Andersen, said the long-lasting appeal of his stories go beyond their authenticity. There’s also evidence that Andersen placed his characters in desperate and hopeless situations to reflect his own personal traumas, which included being raised in poverty, losing his father, and having to briefly work in a factory at age 11 to support his mother. Andersen even admitted of The Ugly Duckling, “This story is, of course, a reflection of my own life.” Much like the ugly duckling, Andersen only later in life became the “swan”-a cultured, world-renowned writer with friends in high places. As a boy, he was teased for his appearance and high-pitched voice, which often made him feel isolated, and he later wrote a story about a boy named Hans who gets made fun of as a child. Some of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales are autobiographical.Īccording to scholars, the tale of The Ugly Duckling reflects Andersen’s own feelings of alienation. Here are seven surprising facts about Andersen’s life and legacy that you won't find in the children's section of a bookstore. However, few people know much about the man behind these famous fairy tales-a man who endured many hardships and, by some accounts, transformed his pain into art. Famed Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is recognized around the world for his beloved books, including The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Little Match Girl, The Princess and the Pea, and many others.
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