A very merry unbirthday to you~
And a very happy birthday to Hans Christian Andersen!
Born April 2, 1805, Andersen is best known for his collections of fairy tales, including the Ugly Duckling and the original Little Mermaid. Unsurprisingly, his version of the story was much darker than the Disney version we’re familiar with now. Andersen’s own life story had some dark times, and some eccentricities which the internet has joyfully excavated — particularly the story of Andersen as a guest in Charles Dickens’ house. Highlights of the encounter between the two famous authors include Andersen “deeply [baffling] the family when, upon receiving a bad review of one of his books during his visit, he threw himself face down on the lawn and wept inconsolably” (see Sources below for link). When the supposedly two-week visit was concluded, Dickens posted a note in the guestroom proclaiming that “Hans Andersen slept in this room for five weeks — which seemed to the family AGES!”
I think these stories about Hans Christian Andersen are popular because, on some level, his social awkwardness is relatable. If I received a particularly bad book review, there is definitely a part of me that would consider the “throw self on lawn and weep” plan of action. I probably wouldn’t actually do so, especially on someone else’s lawn, but still I can imagine what that feels like. And I admire Andersen because he could take those deep emotions and put them into seemingly simple stories (the Ugly Duckling, for example, is frequently cited as dealing with Andersen’s own awkwardness). Fantasy, fairy tale, allegory, fable — all these kinds of stories which are sometimes considered frivolous or childlike — they can, in the right author’s hands, be profound tools of self-reflection and expression. Personally, I like the authenticity that comes through in Andersen’s life and work. (Even if I don’t wholly agree with all his plans of action. 🙂 )
So, that’s my soapbox for the day. Time to go out and celebrate! 😀
Selected Sources
Photo from wikicommons.
Quotes regarding Dickens and Andersen can be found at the Charles Dickens Museum website, here!
A compilation of Andersen’s stories can be found here. Enjoy!
