In the entire book, the word ‘ugly’ appeared rather strongly for me. The definitive nature of ‘ugly’ changes when it is used as a ‘Label’. Once labeled, a person is persecuted, detested and constantly reminded of one’s deficits in such a way that the identity of a person solidifies as one of ‘handicap’; becoming a ‘self’ ruptured beyond repair. I would recommend that if you read this story to your little ones, do not just focus on imparting the above mentions lessons from the book, but also impart sensitivity to and appreciation of ‘the differences’ that exist in this world. See," cried the youngest, "there is a new one;" and the rest were delighted, and ran to their father and mother, dancing and clapping their hands, and shouting joyously, "There is another swan come; a new one has arrived." But what did he see in the clear stream below? His own image—no longer a dark-gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan. Andersen's father introduced him to literature by reading him the magical tales of the Arabian Knights. After his father died in 1816, he went to a local school for poor children in Odense, where he received a basic education. He worked as a weaver to support himself after his mother remarried.

Is this all the world, do you imagine?” said the mother. “Wait till you have seen the garden. Far beyond that it stretches down to the pastor’s field, though I have never ventured to such a distance. Are you all out?” she continued, rising to look. “No, not all; the largest egg lies there yet, I declare. I wonder how long this business is to last. I’m really beginning to be tired of it;” but for all that she sat down again. Gosh, I feel strong,” said the young bird, flapping his wings. “Why, I never felt as strong as I do right now!”According to Carole Rosen, the story was inspired in part by Andersen's friend Jenny Lind. [3] Adaptations [ edit ] Disney's 1931 version Disney's 1939 version Delightful, indeed!" said the hen, "why you must be crazy! Ask the cat, he is the cleverest animal I know, ask him how he would like to swim about on the water, or to dive under it, for I will not speak of my own opinion; ask our mistress, the old woman- there is no one in the world more clever than she is. Do you think she would like to swim, or to let the water close over her head?" At least, that’s one way to analyse the tale – but is its meaning actually a little more complex than its straightforward plot, and seemingly straightforward moral, suggest? Original questions and guidelines for philosophical discussion by Melanie Stuart. Edited June 2020 by The Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics.

By the age of 14, he had moved to Copenhagen to find work as an actor in the Royal Danish Theatre. He began writing poetry in his spare time. The theatre director, Jonas Collin, was so impressed by Andersen's talents that he sent him to a Slagelse grammar school to complete his education. Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary This classic story raises questions about bullying, discrimination, and the importance of being true to yourself. And so he lay quite still, while the shot rattled through the rushes, and gun after gun was fired over him. It was late in the day before all became quiet, but even then the poor young thing did not dare to move. He waited quietly for several hours and then, after looking carefully around him, hastened away from the moor as fast as he could. He ran over field and meadow till a storm arose, and he could hardly struggle against it. The famous Danish author also wrote plays, novels, poems and travelogues, but he's best remembered for his wonderful fairy tales. His popular stories seem to transcend age and nationality, appealing to everyone.Speculation suggests that Andersen was the illegitimate son of Prince Christian Frederik (later King Christian VIII of Denmark), and found this out sometime before he wrote the book, and then that being a swan in the story was a metaphor not just for inner beauty and talent but also for secret royal lineage. [2] See,” cried the youngest, “there is a new one;” and the rest were delighted, and ran to their father and mother, dancing and clapping their hands and shouting joyously, “There is another swan come; a new one has arrived.” Then he flew to the water, and swam towards the beautiful swans. The moment they espied the stranger, they rushed to meet him with outstretched wings. The book is selling like hot cakes. All the papers are praising it, everyone is reading it! No books of mine are appreciated in the way these fairy tales are!” He even read it aloud at social gatherings.