Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Story Teller

B. S. Aquino National High School

Concepcion, Tarlac

S.Y. 2010-2011

In Partial Fulfillment in the Subject English III

Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Story Teller

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mr. Felicitos A. Del Rosario III Angelica D. Amurao

English Adviser SSC III-A

Acknowledgement

First of all, utmost appreciation to the Almighty God for the divine intervention in this academic endeavor. For giving me the strength and health to do this paper work until it done. Not forgotten to my family for providing everything, such as money, to buy anything that are related to this paper work and their advise, which is the most needed for the project. Internet, books, computer and all that as my source to complete this research. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our librarian, Ms. Russell Sicat in guiding and instructing me to get more useful information using general references.

Then I would like to thank my teacher, Mr. Felicitos A. Del Rosario III who was abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support and guidance. I had some difficulties in doing this task, but he taught me patiently until I knew what to do. He tried and tried to teach me until I understand what I supposed to do with the research work.

Last but not least, my friends and my classmates who were doing this project with me and sharing brilliant ideas. They were helpful that when I combined and discussed together, I had this task done.

Definition of Terms:

1. artisan - a skilled workman.

2. effeminate - (man) displaying what are regarded as feminine qualities.

3. completion - acknowledgement; fulfillment.

4. unveiled - revealed; disclosed.

5. picturesque - striking; vivid, usually pleasing.

Introduction

The Emperor's New Clothes, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Ducking are the titles of children's stories that should ring a bell with all of us. No matter how old we are, we are probably familiar with these titles and many more from the pen of Hans Christian Andersen. His 156 different stories are the most translated fiction in history. Even now, over a century and a half after his death, his stories are being told and re-told all over the world.

Although he wrote in many genres, including novels, poems, plays, and travelogues, Hans Christian Andersen is remembered primarily as one of the most distinguished writers of fairy tales. Many of these--such as "The Ugly Duckling" (1843), "The Emperor's New Clothes" (1837), and "The Little Mermaid" (1837)--have become world famous. In all, Andersen wrote more than 150 tales, primarily between 1835 and 1874. Before this time, fairy tales had been part of the oral tradition of literature passed through generations and recorded in writing only for historical interest. Andersen revitalized and expanded the genre by merging the traditional folk tale with the more sophisticated literary tale. To this end he employed conversational language suitable for children, often provided sad rather than happy endings, combined an adult sensibility with a child-like simplicity, and blended into his tales aspects of his own personal life.

He also wrote under the pseudonym "Villiam Christian Walter". He is one of the greatest Danish writers of fairy tales, poetry, short stories, novels, travel sketches, autobiographies, and dramas.

Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Story Teller

Introduction

I. Biographical Information

A. Family

1. Birth

2. Birthplace

3. Early Childhood

4. Schooling

B. Death and Burial Place

II. Literary Works

A. Early Works

B. Major Works

1. Famous Fairytales

2. Novels

3. Poems

4. Travel books

5. Autobiographies

III. Legacy and Influence

Conclusion

Bibliographies

I. Biographical Information

Hans Christian Andersen was a product of two towns, two social environments, two worlds and two ages. Both as a man and as a writer he thus continually developed and changed, but was also in constant dialogue with himself and even at times at war with himself. Thus his social rise provides the direct and indirect motif in many of his tales, novels and plays, both as a productive source in his search for a new and more comprehensive identity and as a source of perpetual and unresolved traumas.

A. Family

His father was a shoemaker and his mother had been a washerwoman in the houses of the rich before she married Hans' father. A strongly defined class society and a restrictive system of artisan's guilds kept Mr. Andersen senior working at the lowest financial level of his trade in the city. As a "frimester", he belonged to the lowest class of artisans, not allowed into the guilds nor to employ anyone as an assistant. As for the facts about his family, Hans Christian wrote much about them in his "Mit Livs Eventyr", an autobiography.

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