Hans Christian Andersen
“The Little Mermaid”
By: Amber, Kristen, Karissa, and
Raechel
Biography
• Born: April 2nd, 1805
in Odense, Denmark
• The only child of
Hans Andersen and
Anna Maria
Andersdatter
• Danish author and
poet
Merriman, C D. “Hans Christian Andersen” The Literature Network. 2006. Jalic Inc. 22 May 2009
http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/.
• Attended Copenhagen
University
• While there, he wrote
his first poem, “The
Dying Child”
published in the
Copenhagen Post in
1827
Merriman, C D. “Hans Christian Andersen” The Literature Network. 2006. Jalic Inc. 22 May 2009
http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/.
• Andersen had a keen interest in other
cultures. During the course of his life he
traveled extensively throughout Europe
and wrote a number of travel books
• Hans Christian Andersen achieved much
success for his work and was made
Honorary Citizen of Odense in 1867
• After battling liver cancer, Andersen died
in his home on August 4th, 1875 in
Copenhagen, Denmark
Merriman, C D. “Hans Christian Andersen” The Literature Network. 2006. Jalic Inc. 22 May 2009
http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/.
Hans Christian Andersens’ Works
“The Little Mermaid”
•
•
Written in 1836
About a sea king and his five daughters.
When each of his daughters turns 15, they
are allowed to travel to land. When the
youngest daughter gets her turn, she travels
above the water and saves a handsome
prince from drowning. The Little Mermaid
falls in love with the prince and longs to
become a human. The Little Mermaid visits a
sea witch who gives her a potion which gives
her legs and everything else human, except
she loses her ability to talk. The prince falls in
love with the little mermaid, but is forced to
marry a neighboring princess. The next
morning her mermaid sisters bring her a knife
to kill the prince so she will turn into a
mermaid again but she can’t bring herself to
do it. The next morning the little mermaid
throws herself into the sea, and turns into
foam.
“Hans Christian Andersen.” A Collection of the World’s Fairytales. Avaren. 27 May 2009
http://www.fairytalescollection.com.
Andersens’ Works (cont.)
“The Ugly Duckling”
• Written in 1843
• Tells a story of a duckling
ostracized by his fellow
barnyard friends because of his
perceived homeliness. To his
delight (and to the surprise of
others), he matures into a
graceful swan, the most
beautiful bird of all.
“Hans Christian Andersen.” A Collection of the World’s Fairytales. Avaren. 27 May 2009
http://www.fairytalescollection.com.
Andersens’ Works (cont.)
“The Princess and the Pea”
• Written in 1835
• Tells a story of a prince looking for
a “real” princess. One night during
a storm a girl showed up at his
door saying she was a real princess,
so the queen let her in. She was
sent to a room with twenty
mattresses, and underneath was a
pea. The next morning the princess
complained that she had slept
horribly. Right then, everyone
knew she was a real princess. The
prince married her and they lived
happily ever after.
“Hans Christian Andersen.” A Collection of the World’s Fairytales. Avaren. 27 May
2009 http://www.fairytalescollection.com.
Andersens’ Works (cont.)
“The Emperor’s New Suit”
• Written in 1872
• Tells the story of an
emperor whose only
ambition is to be welldressed is swindled by
two men who claim to
weave cloth that is
invisible to the eyes of
the un-worthy.
“Hans Christian Andersen.” A Collection of the World’s Fairytales. Avaren. 27 May 2009
http://www.fairytalescollection.com.
Connection
• His father often took him to the local playhouse in order
to nurture his creative side.
• Hans Chrisitan Andersen loved to dance and sing, and
also had a vivid imagination that found its way into his
writing.
• His child-like imagination reflected in his children’s fairy
tales, such as:
The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea,
Hansel and Gretel, The Ugly Duckling, and the Emperors
New Suit
Rossel, Sven H. “Hans Christian Andersen.” 27 May 2009
http://www.nca.gilead.ord.il/chron.html.