The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Match Girl 
by Hans Christian Andersen

3 pages, eBook

Where I Got It: AmericanLiterature.com

Story Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Haunting - Poignant - Enchanting

Summary:

A young girl is sent out into the cold to sell matches and ends up lighting some of them in an attempt to keep warm, seeing visions of comfort by their light.

My Thoughts:

Given the inevitability of the ending, this should be a sad story, and it is in many ways, but there is also an optimism about it that is appealing. As if it offers us the comfort of knowing death need not be feared or dwelt upon overly long, because it only marks a new beginning, and perhaps a change of circumstances for the better.

Quotes:

“She drew one out. ‘Rischt!’ how it blazed, how it burnt! It was a warm, bright flame, like a candle, as she held her hands over it: it was a wonderful light.” -Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl

“The fire burned with such blessed influence; it warmed so delightfully.” -Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl

“—the match went out and nothing but the thick, cold, damp wall was left behind.” -Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl