This story is well known in Norway too. Of course I felt sad when I heard it, but that is the point. Not all stories should have a happy ending, this story would not be nearly as impactful if it did. Even when a was a child it made me think about the fact that not all people are as lucky as I am, and that is an important lesson.
I am from Denmark, and have grown up knowing this story. I think it is a christmas story, as its point is gratitude for what you have and also to be aware of those who are not as fortunate as you. Sure there also is a very strong religious part. But it is more the human connections and naratives I see in this story.
No kids should die in the snow or be without love - but I also think that's a point in the story. Being danish I've known it forever and it also made me cry as a child - and even now it can bring tears to my eyes.
I too grew up with this story (being danish), it used to scare me but also shaped my worldview, that no one should be poor in this world. I carry this story with me, always.
I just told it to my 8 year old daughter. She cried but she took it to heart that there are poor children out there. She is grateful to be safe, home and warm, but she wants to help the children. She has been kind ever since she was small, she is stull small, but she wants to help and do help and show kindness to everyone she meets.
Hans Christian Andersen is not just for children! And - nice observation - he is not Disney-like. Disney take the plot from his stories and make them to something very different - missing the poetry and deeper thought. Each and every HCA fairy tale has messages, thought and humour for mature, thinking adults. 'The Emperor's new clothes' is perhaps the most well known for such message. I wonder why Disney has not made that movie... ;)
Happy holidays and happy new years. Growing up, this story was always one of my favourites. It taught me a few things: Moste important is that death is not scary. It's a beautiful thing, and our loved ones are at peace. It always reminded me to tresure what I had and be compassionate with others.
In the Netherlands we know this story as well. We have a theme park called the 'efteling'. Its full of rides (all rides can be found on youtube) and we have a fairytale forest (sprookjesbos). A lot of the fairytales there are from Hans Christian Andersen.
@@Sour84-t9y I'll definitely write it on my list of places to visit 😃 I wont have time or money for travelling for the next two years, but after that, I'll definitely go travelling for a bit ☺
No the main purpose for the story is to shine a light upon the huge gap between the rich and poor people in the world.. USA could learn alot in that regard
Although you are also correct that it tell us to look out for eachother even though we may to strangers wich is something society have lost over the last 2 decades
This story is very well known in Sweden too "Flickan med svavelstickorna", but I guess that all HC Andersen's stories are known in all of the Nordic countries.
Whats special about H.C. Andersen is that he effectively is the most read fairytale writer in the world and its a bit random why he became that, but he was and probably still is the only Foreign fairytale writer that is approved by the CCP and mandatory reading in Chinese schools. Walt Disney and disney as a company "borrowed" so much from Denmark, not only stories from H.C. Andersen, but Disney land was to my knowledge an idea that came to life as walt Disney learned about Tivoli in Copenhagen. Yes, Denmark has the worlds 2 oldest amusement parks.
In every class I’ve ever been with as we read this story, there’s always someone who starts to cry. Because the love felt in this story is a reminder of a loved one gone, or a person who deserved better in life, kids who are forgotten during Christmas who never have the love and feast, presents and joy that they deserve. It is a sad story for us who HC. Andersen intent to empower to change the outcome. For when you remember this story again you will likely find yourself wishing that things were different and better for the little one, that death wasn’t sweeter than life for the little girl, and that nobody else would ever know and feel the pain and sadness she felt in this story. This story serves as a reminder and a lesson that we in society have a duty to remember those who freeze to death with a match stick in hand, but also that those who have passed are not gone but are sweet memories that we connect with that much more deeply when we remember them during Christmas. Remember this when you cast a vote, because your voice does matter when you have a vote where kids don’t have any. Your voice is stronger than this girl who froze to death, so remember that poor girl who had no loving home to return to, when you throw your vote next time. As this story serves as a warning to those whose duty it was to have stepped in when this girl needed it. Marry Christmas and happy new year.
This and other stories like this, having been read to me as a child as bedtime stories, is probably why I enjoy horror movies. It may also have made me more gentle, if you will, with children and friends. Sometimes bad things happens and it's a good thing to try to prevent them and help.
There are many fairy tales that have been Disneyfied, just look at Cinderella. In the original story from the Brothers Grimm, one stepsister gets her toes chopped off and the other her heel when they try on the glass shoe otherwise they couldn't fit it, their feet were too big and fat. That part is not in Disney's version of the story. The original story was written by two German brothers, the Brothers Grimm. So it's not just in the Nordics that these stories could be a bit harsh; in fact, I'd argue that it was very common for tales from that era before they went through a Disney sander that polished them down to lose their edge and become sugary.
@@bjørnjacobsengaming Perrault died about eight decades before the Grimm brothers were born. As for which version Disney adapted, they plainly state this in the opening credits.
Im danish.. and i had my kid ask for a bedtime story. "There was a beautiful girl who wanted a bedtime story. She didnt get one, god night and sleep well"
Most sad part is about a yet beautifull story is it were a reality in the past and probably based in reality about a child found in the morning after Christmas
The Little Match girl, was NOT written for children. H.C.Andersen lived in Copenhagen and saw these pore children i the streets. Children like the little girl in the story, and he himself had grownup pore. The story is a social commentary on the society around him, and the lack of empathy ... All H.C.Andersens stories have that layer.
HCAs tales are lessons, just like the collected fairytales the brothers Grimm wrote down (they didn't invent the tales, but collected old ones and were the first to write them all down). They're meant to teach you important lessons, about life, about nature. They're not meant to make you feel good at all, because that won't leave a lasting impression on you. Incidentally this also makes them excellent school material for kids to analyse and find the message in them, and pick apart the symbolism.
Traditionaly jul/christmas in scandinavia was a celebration of the return of the light. But the return of the light allso means it is a time with the greatest dark :)
This one teaches us various things such as the gap between the rich and poor people as frightening to see it really haven’t become much better these days.. only thing improved is standard of living like housing etc but the gap in wealth grow further and further apart
It was written to chock and raise awareness and empathy for the less fortunate. As far as im aware HC Andersen wrote it after a meeting with Dickens (not too long after Dickens wrote Oliver Twist)
The story can be seen as the girl daydreaming. But what is known from other stories written by H.C. Andersen is that some do end this way with this pattern where someone already dead comes and picks up the soul of the dying. A few stories continue after death where the one picking up tells that to get into paradise they have to pick up the soul of someone important to them. Seen in that perspective, the grandmother picks up the girl's soul, as the girl is important to the grandmother, and by doing so the grandmother gets into heaven. --- Knowing this pattern, "The Little Mermaid" becomes an even darker story, as the mermaid does not get a soul, and thus is destroyed with no afterlife when she dies.
To me it were a morals building story, I remember how we in the class room drew the curtains, turned off the light and placed candles on our desks and then surrendered to the story! I'm a 62 year old man and still get a lump in my throat listening to it!
Request a video: buymeacoffee.com/teacherpaul
This story is well known in Norway too. Of course I felt sad when I heard it, but that is the point. Not all stories should have a happy ending, this story would not be nearly as impactful if it did. Even when a was a child it made me think about the fact that not all people are as lucky as I am, and that is an important lesson.
I am from Denmark, and have grown up knowing this story. I think it is a christmas story, as its point is gratitude for what you have and also to be aware of those who are not as fortunate as you. Sure there also is a very strong religious part. But it is more the human connections and naratives I see in this story.
No kids should die in the snow or be without love - but I also think that's a point in the story. Being danish I've known it forever and it also made me cry as a child - and even now it can bring tears to my eyes.
Not newyear but on Christmas night i have read it a 100 times growing up here in Denmark
I too grew up with this story (being danish), it used to scare me but also shaped my worldview, that no one should be poor in this world. I carry this story with me, always.
I just told it to my 8 year old daughter. She cried but she took it to heart that there are poor children out there. She is grateful to be safe, home and warm, but she wants to help the children. She has been kind ever since she was small, she is stull small, but she wants to help and do help and show kindness to everyone she meets.
Hans Christian Andersen is not just for children! And - nice observation - he is not Disney-like. Disney take the plot from his stories and make them to something very different - missing the poetry and deeper thought. Each and every HCA fairy tale has messages, thought and humour for mature, thinking adults. 'The Emperor's new clothes' is perhaps the most well known for such message. I wonder why Disney has not made that movie... ;)
For what it's worth, their take on The Little Match Girl was pretty faithful.
As kid I remember the felt lucky... having a good family, a home and safe. It was an eye opener that not all kids have it.
Happy holidays and happy new years.
Growing up, this story was always one of my favourites.
It taught me a few things:
Moste important is that death is not scary. It's a beautiful thing, and our loved ones are at peace.
It always reminded me to tresure what I had and be compassionate with others.
In the Netherlands we know this story as well. We have a theme park called the 'efteling'. Its full of rides (all rides can be found on youtube) and we have a fairytale forest (sprookjesbos). A lot of the fairytales there are from Hans Christian Andersen.
Okay, I did not know that, and as a dane, I now feel the need to go there sometime, because that sounds awesome 😁
@@cecilie1991 You are super welcome. I am very curious to know if they do the fairytales justice.
@@Sour84-t9y I'll definitely write it on my list of places to visit 😃
I wont have time or money for travelling for the next two years, but after that, I'll definitely go travelling for a bit ☺
Its about learn to take care fpr each other
No the main purpose for the story is to shine a light upon the huge gap between the rich and poor people in the world.. USA could learn alot in that regard
Although you are also correct that it tell us to look out for eachother even though we may to strangers wich is something society have lost over the last 2 decades
This story is very well known in Sweden too "Flickan med svavelstickorna", but I guess that all HC Andersen's stories are known in all of the Nordic countries.
Most of the world
Whats special about H.C. Andersen is that he effectively is the most read fairytale writer in the world and its a bit random why he became that, but he was and probably still is the only Foreign fairytale writer that is approved by the CCP and mandatory reading in Chinese schools.
Walt Disney and disney as a company "borrowed" so much from Denmark, not only stories from H.C. Andersen, but Disney land was to my knowledge an idea that came to life as walt Disney learned about Tivoli in Copenhagen.
Yes, Denmark has the worlds 2 oldest amusement parks.
In every class I’ve ever been with as we read this story, there’s always someone who starts to cry.
Because the love felt in this story is a reminder of a loved one gone, or a person who deserved better in life, kids who are forgotten during Christmas who never have the love and feast, presents and joy that they deserve.
It is a sad story for us who HC. Andersen intent to empower to change the outcome. For when you remember this story again you will likely find yourself wishing that things were different and better for the little one, that death wasn’t sweeter than life for the little girl, and that nobody else would ever know and feel the pain and sadness she felt in this story. This story serves as a reminder and a lesson that we in society have a duty to remember those who freeze to death with a match stick in hand, but also that those who have passed are not gone but are sweet memories that we connect with that much more deeply when we remember them during Christmas.
Remember this when you cast a vote, because your voice does matter when you have a vote where kids don’t have any. Your voice is stronger than this girl who froze to death, so remember that poor girl who had no loving home to return to, when you throw your vote next time.
As this story serves as a warning to those whose duty it was to have stepped in when this girl needed it.
Marry Christmas and happy new year.
Even 150 years ago children around the world knew H.C.Andersen is/was danish...
This and other stories like this, having been read to me as a child as bedtime stories, is probably why I enjoy horror movies. It may also have made me more gentle, if you will, with children and friends. Sometimes bad things happens and it's a good thing to try to prevent them and help.
There are many fairy tales that have been Disneyfied, just look at Cinderella. In the original story from the Brothers Grimm, one stepsister gets her toes chopped off and the other her heel when they try on the glass shoe otherwise they couldn't fit it, their feet were too big and fat. That part is not in Disney's version of the story. The original story was written by two German brothers, the Brothers Grimm. So it's not just in the Nordics that these stories could be a bit harsh; in fact, I'd argue that it was very common for tales from that era before they went through a Disney sander that polished them down to lose their edge and become sugary.
The Disney film was adapted from the Charles Perrault version (as clearly stated in the credits) which *predates* the Grimm version.
@Quirderph Source and proof of date and time?
@@bjørnjacobsengaming Perrault died about eight decades before the Grimm brothers were born. As for which version Disney adapted, they plainly state this in the opening credits.
Im danish.. and i had my kid ask for a bedtime story.
"There was a beautiful girl who wanted a bedtime story. She didnt get one, god night and sleep well"
Most sad part is about a yet beautifull story is it were a reality in the past and probably based in reality about a child found in the morning after Christmas
Disney's Frozen is also based on a H.C. Andersen fairy tale, The Snow Queen.
they cry but her granmother came for her-. im danish
The Little Match girl, was NOT written for children. H.C.Andersen lived in Copenhagen and saw these pore children i the streets. Children like the little girl in the story, and he himself had grownup pore. The story is a social commentary on the society around him, and the lack of empathy ... All H.C.Andersens stories have that layer.
HCAs tales are lessons, just like the collected fairytales the brothers Grimm wrote down (they didn't invent the tales, but collected old ones and were the first to write them all down). They're meant to teach you important lessons, about life, about nature. They're not meant to make you feel good at all, because that won't leave a lasting impression on you. Incidentally this also makes them excellent school material for kids to analyse and find the message in them, and pick apart the symbolism.
The Real World Is Dark Sadly.
Traditionaly jul/christmas in scandinavia was a celebration of the return of the light. But the return of the light allso means it is a time with the greatest dark :)
Obviously, you only know the Disney version of The Little Mermaid.
The original story from H. C. Andersen, has a quite sad ending.
Try reading the original the little mermaid, very different from disneys romance.
Most of HC Andersen's faritales are dark and all of them tries to teach you something 🙂
This one teaches us various things such as the gap between the rich and poor people as frightening to see it really haven’t become much better these days.. only thing improved is standard of living like housing etc but the gap in wealth grow further and further apart
It was written to chock and raise awareness and empathy for the less fortunate.
As far as im aware HC Andersen wrote it after a meeting with Dickens (not too long after Dickens wrote Oliver Twist)
The story can be seen as the girl daydreaming.
But what is known from other stories written by H.C. Andersen is that some do end this way with this pattern where someone already dead comes and picks up the soul of the dying.
A few stories continue after death where the one picking up tells that to get into paradise they have to pick up the soul of someone important to them.
Seen in that perspective, the grandmother picks up the girl's soul, as the girl is important to the grandmother, and by doing so the grandmother gets into heaven.
---
Knowing this pattern, "The Little Mermaid" becomes an even darker story, as the mermaid does not get a soul, and thus is destroyed with no afterlife when she dies.
To me it were a morals building story, I remember how we in the class room drew the curtains, turned off the light and placed candles on our desks and then surrendered to the story! I'm a 62 year old man and still get a lump in my throat listening to it!