“The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

“The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen first appeared in 1845 within the Dansk Folkekalender, a Danish publication that functioned both as an almanac and a story collection. This enduring tale centers on a destitute young girl selling matches on a frigid New Year’s Eve. Through the flickering light of each match she ignites for warmth, the story poignantly contrasts the harsh realities of poverty with the girl’s fantastical visions. While presented as a fairy tale, it offers a potent social critique, drawing attention to the plight of the impoverished and the societal indifference they frequently encounter.

Literary Devices in “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Literary Device	Example from the Story	Explanation
1. Imagery	“The flakes of snow covered her long fair hair, which fell in beautiful curls around her neck.”	Creates vivid sensory details to describe the scene.
2. Symbolism	The matches represent hope and comfort.	Objects, colors, or other elements that carry meaning beyond their literal sense.
3. Irony	The little girl dies on New Year’s Eve, a time of celebration and joy.	A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs.
4. Personification	“The wind whistled…through the largest cracks.”	Attributing human qualities or actions to non-human entities.
5. Alliteration	“She crept along trembling with cold and hunger.”	Repetition of initial consonant sounds for musical effect.
6. Metaphor	The match is compared to a “large iron stove”	A comparison between two unlike things without “like” or “as.”
7. Pathos	The little girl’s tragic situation evokes feelings of sadness and sympathy.	Emotional appeal to the reader.
8. Foreshadowing	The little girl’s grandmother had told her that when a star falls, a soul ascends to God.	Hints at events that will occur later in the story.
9. Repetition	The little girl lights multiple matches, each bringing temporary comfort.	Emphasizes the significance of an action or event.
10. Contrast	The warm, cozy scenes the little girl imagines are contrasted with her harsh reality.	Highlights differences between two ideas, settings, or situations.
11. Hyperbole	“Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches.”	Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
12. Simile	The match is compared to a “candle” using “like.”	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
13. Imagery (visual)	“The roast goose was steaming famously with its stuffing of apple and dried plums.”	Creates vivid sensory details to describe the scene.
14. Symbolism (color)	The snow-white tablecloth and green branches represent purity and life.	Objects, colors, or other elements that carry meaning beyond their literal sense.
15. Allusion	The story alludes to the idea of an afterlife and a benevolent God.	A reference to a person, place, event, or work of art outside the text.
16. Suspense	The reader is left wondering what will happen to the little girl.	Creates tension and anticipation.
17. Characterization	The little girl is described as “poor,” “bareheaded,” and “with naked feet.”	Reveals a character’s personality, traits, or background.
18. Setting	The story takes place on a cold, dark New Year’s Eve.	Establishes the time and place of the narrative.
19. Stream of Consciousness	The little girl’s thoughts and visions are presented in a flowing, unstructured manner.	A narrative technique that replicates the natural flow of thoughts.
20. Social Commentary	The story highlights the struggles of poverty and the vulnerability of children.	Critiques or comments on societal issues or conditions.

Additionally, here are some other literary devices that can be identified in the story:

• Anaphora: The repetition of “she” at the beginning of successive clauses (“She crept along… She carried… She had…”).
• Symbolism (object): The matches, the stove, the roast goose, and the Christmas tree can all be seen as symbols of comfort, warmth, and happiness.
• Symbolism (color): The colors white, green, and red are used to symbolize purity, life, and joy.

Characterization in “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Major Character:

• The Little Match Girl:
  • Characterized by her immense poverty: barefoot and with no hat in the harsh cold (opening paragraph).
  • Described as being meek and possibly fearful of punishment: afraid to go home without selling matches (paragraph 3).
  • Possesses a strong sense of wonder and innocence: captivated by the visions from the matches (multiple paragraphs).
  • Deeply affected by the loss of her grandmother: seeks solace and reunion through the matches (paragraph 7).

Minor Characters:

• The Narrator:
  • Offers a neutral and objective perspective, focusing on actions and descriptions (entire story).
• The Girl’s Father (not directly present):
  • Inferred to be harsh and possibly abusive: the girl fears punishment for not selling matches (paragraph 3).
• The Boy Who Takes Her Slipper:
  • Briefly mentioned, but his action highlights the girl’s vulnerability and the indifference surrounding her plight (paragraph 1).
• People Celebrating New Year’s Eve:
  • Represent a society oblivious to the girl’s suffering: enjoying their warm homes and feasts while she remains cold and hungry (multiple paragraphs).
• The Little Match Girl’s Grandmother:
  • Described through the girl’s memory: loving and kind (paragraph 7).
  • Serves as a symbol of comfort and warmth for the girl (final paragraph).

Major Themes in “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

• The Cruelty of Poverty: The story highlights the plight of the poor during the Industrial Revolution, with a particular focus on how it impacted the lives of children. The little match girl is a poignant example of the effects of poverty, struggling to survive and sell matches on the streets on New Year’s Eve. Her death at the end of the story serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of poverty.
• Christianity and the Afterlife: The story reflects the Christian belief in the afterlife as a better place, where there is no suffering or pain. The little match girl’s death is portrayed as a happy ending, as she is reunited with her deceased grandmother and enters a world where there is no cold, hunger, or fear.
• Fairy Tales vs. Reality: The story subverts the traditional fairy tale genre by presenting a bleak and realistic portrayal of poverty and death. The little match girl’s visions of a warm stove, roast goose, and Christmas tree serve as a contrast to the harsh reality of her life, highlighting the difference between the idealized world of fairy tales and the cruel realities of the real world.
• The Power of Imagination: The story showcases the power of imagination as a means of escape from the hardships of reality. The little match girl’s visions, though temporary, provide her with a sense of comfort and joy, and ultimately lead her to a peaceful death. Her imagination allows her to find solace in a world that is otherwise cruel and unforgiving.

Writing Style in “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Literary Theory	Interpretation (with Examples from the Story)	Critique
Social Realism	The story reflects the harsh realities of poverty and societal indifference.	* The girl’s barefoot state and fear of punishment for not selling matches highlight her poverty. (Opening paragraph, Paragraph 3) * The descriptions of warm homes and lavish feasts contrast sharply with the girl’s cold and hungry state. (Multiple paragraphs)
Symbolism	Uses symbols to convey deeper meanings.	* The cold and darkness represent the harshness of poverty. * The matches symbolize fleeting hope and comfort in a bleak situation. * The visions represent escape and a yearning for a better life.
Psychoanalysis	Explores the girl’s psychological state and motivations.	* The girl’s vivid visions can be seen as a coping mechanism for her suffering. * Her fear of punishment suggests a strained relationship with her father. * Her desire to be with her grandmother reflects a longing for love and security.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
1. Symbolism of Matches	How do the matches symbolize hope and comfort in the midst of despair?	The matches in “The Little Match Girl” serve as potent symbols of hope and warmth, offering solace to the protagonist.
2. Social Injustice	What social commentary does Andersen make regarding poverty and neglect?	Andersen’s portrayal of the little match girl sheds light on the harsh realities of poverty and societal neglect.
3. Themes of Imagination	How does the girl’s imagination provide an escape from her grim reality?	Through vivid imagery and fantastical visions, the protagonist finds solace and transcendence from her harsh existence.
4. The Power of Compassion	What role does compassion play in the story, both from the characters and reader?	“The Little Match Girl” underscores the transformative power of compassion, both within the narrative and for readers.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Question	Answer
Where and when does the story take place?	The story takes place on a cold New Year’s Eve in a seemingly European city. We can infer this from the freezing temperatures, snow, and celebratory nature of the evening. Descriptions of carriages and an almanac containing stories further suggest a European setting.
What does the little girl sell?	The little girl tries to sell matches to make money. However, throughout the story, it’s clear she hasn’t sold any.
Why does the little girl light the matches?	The little girl lights the matches primarily to stay warm. The flickering flame provides a brief respite from the harsh cold. However, the matches also ignite fantastical visions, offering a temporary escape from her poverty and hunger.
What is the ending of the story?	The ending is bittersweet. The girl lights all the remaining matches to hold onto the vision of her grandmother. They ascend together, leaving the girl’s frozen body behind. While her physical body perishes from the cold, the story implies she finds peace and warmth in death, reunited with her grandmother.

Literary Works Similar to “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:
   • Similarities: Both stories explore themes of poverty, suffering, and the transformative power of empathy and compassion. They also feature supernatural elements and poignant resolutions.
2. “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde:
   • Similarities: Like “The Little Match Girl,” this story delves into themes of poverty and suffering, highlighting the importance of compassion and selflessness. Both narratives have poignant and bittersweet endings.
3. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry:
   • Similarities: Both stories revolve around characters experiencing hardship and sacrifice, with themes of love, generosity, and the true meaning of wealth. They share a poignant and heartwarming resolution.
4. “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen:
   • Similarities: While not directly similar in plot, “The Snow Queen” shares Andersen’s thematic exploration of hardship, loneliness, and the redemptive power of love. It also contains elements of fantasy and wonder.
5. “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen:
   • Similarities: Although a different narrative, this story by Andersen explores themes of sacrifice, longing, and the pursuit of happiness. Like “The Little Match Girl,” it contains elements of sadness and transcendence.

Suggested Readings about/on “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Recommended Readings:

• Haugaard, Erik Christian, ed. Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Fairy Tales. Anchor Books, 2008.
• Sanders, Ruth Manning, ed. The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen. Viking, 2000.
• Zipes, Jack. Hans Christian Andersen: the misunderstood storyteller. Routledge, 2014.

Scholarly Articles:

• Øster, Anette. “Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales in Translation.” Children’s Literature in Translation. Routledge, 2014. 141-156.
• De Mylius, Johan. “” Our time is the time of the fairy tale”: Hans Christian Andersen between Traditional Craft and Literary Modernism.” Marvels & Tales (2006): 166-178.

Online Resources:

• The Hans Christian Andersen Centre. https://hcandersenshus.dk/en/. Accessed 24 April 2024.
• SparkNotes: “The Little Match Girl.” https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-little-match-girl. Accessed 24 April 2024.

Representative Quotations from “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

Quotation	Context	Theorization
“Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening–the last evening of the year.”	Setting the scene on a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve, emphasizing the harshness of the environment.	This opening line establishes the bleak atmosphere and foreshadows the challenges the little match girl will face, setting the tone for the story’s themes of suffering and despair.
“Nobody had bought anything of her the whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing.”	Describing the girl’s desperate poverty and the lack of compassion from those around her.	This quote highlights the indifference and neglect the little match girl experiences, contributing to the story’s critique of societal attitudes towards the less fortunate.
“The fire burned with such blessed influence; it warmed so delightfully.”	The girl experiences temporary comfort and warmth from a match flame, providing a brief respite from the cold.	Here, the warmth of the match symbolizes hope and solace in the midst of adversity, suggesting the power of small moments of joy and comfort in the face of overwhelming hardship.
“The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven…”	The girl’s imagination transforms the dying match flames into a vision of celestial beauty and tranquility.	This quote illustrates the girl’s longing for escape and her transcendent experience, suggesting themes of spirituality and the human capacity to find beauty and solace even in the darkest moments.
“Someone is just dead!” said the little girl…	The girl interprets the falling match flames as souls ascending to God, reflecting her innocence and belief in the afterlife.	This moment highlights the girl’s connection to her deceased grandmother and her belief in a world beyond suffering, adding depth to her character and underscoring themes of love and loss.
“Grandmother!” cried the little one. “Oh, take me with you!…”	The girl’s desperate plea to be reunited with her deceased grandmother, expressing her longing for love and warmth.	This emotional climax showcases the girl’s yearning for comfort and connection, encapsulating the story’s themes of loneliness and the transcendent power of love to provide solace in the face of adversity.
“But in the corner, at the cold hour of dawn, sat the poor girl, with rosy cheeks and with a smiling mouth…”	The story’s poignant conclusion, revealing the girl’s peaceful death and her serene expression, in contrast to her previous suffering.	This final image juxtaposes the girl’s physical demise with her inner tranquility, suggesting a sense of transcendence and redemption, as well as the enduring power of hope and imagination in the face of despair.
“She wanted to warm herself,” people said…	The townspeople’s obliviousness to the girl’s extraordinary experiences, attributing her death to a mundane desire for warmth.	This closing statement emphasizes the stark contrast between the girl’s inner world of beauty and wonder and the harsh reality of societal indifference, reinforcing the story’s themes of empathy and the human capacity for compassion.