Who would have guessed that the dude who wrote "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes" had some strong opinions about appearances? You, probably. Andersen seems to be trying to teach us that we shouldn't pay too much attention to appearances, since vanity is a tool of the Devil. But at the same time, he seems to think it's okay to be drawn to beauty, since God inspires artists, and He created nature to be beautiful. Hmm, way to contradict yourself, Andersen. Maybe if you can learn to appreciate beauty and art for what they are, but are not seduced into forgetting what's actually important—like loving God and all that jazz—you can get Andersen's stamp of approval. Maybe.
Questions About Appearances
- Which of Andersen's characters are particularly beautiful? Which are particularly ugly? How do these characters' beauty, or lack thereof, seem to affect their lives?
- Do you think Andersen's characters ultimately fair better when they're born beautiful, or when they're born ugly?
- Are there any tales in which Andersen seems to want you to walk away with that ol' message, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? Which ones?
- Who is the vainest character in Andersen's tales? Is there anything special about her/his/its appearance?
Chew on This
Beauty doesn't last, so, really, it's not all that important.
Don't judge a book by its cover, unless it's a really lousy book.