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Dreams and Illusions

 

 

Introduction

The important issue in Andersen's sublime, superb tales is the nature of the quest. Often the protagonists do not know themselves what kind of a quest they are on. Both the little mermaid and the prince in “The Garden of Eden” are on a quest of which they are not fully aware.  Mermaids in folklore are demonic, sexual beings, but not so in “The Little Mermaid.”  Andersen uses a double language in his texts. Though they can be appreciated by children on one level, there is another level which adults might understand and which is deeper than the first. Though they are imitations of folk tales, they are much more.  If you wish to stretch your intellectual legs a little, listen to an interview with a Dutch scholar, Annelis van Hees about both "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Little Mermaid." (Click on the Supplementary Materials link for information on how to access this interview.) This WILL NOT be on the exam, but it can be fun to listen to.  Two important, Romantic concepts are discussed in this lesson; Eros Thanatos, an important concept in art and literature, is death through love; the other,  felix culpa, or the fortunate fall, is a test that is meant to be failed.

Lecture

Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

ReadingS

1. "The Tinderbox"
2. "The Little Mermaid"
3. "The Garden of Eden"

From Winther's Danish Folk Tales

4. "The Prince and the Merman"
5. "The Merman"

Quiz

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