The Little Match Girl
1. What aspect of Andersen’s life became a “motif” in many of his tales?
2. What were the two cities that so affected Andersen’s life? Explain his experiences with
each city.
3. How did his experiences, both as a child and as a young adult, help to shape Andersen as
a person and as a writer?
4. Name the two families that became Andersen’s “spiritual kin” when he moved to
Copenhagen. How did these families further develop his social experiences?
5. Provide an overall evaluation of Andersen’s life that adequately assesses his childhood and
adult experiences. Make sure to include your own claims about his life – was it easy or
marked by struggle, was it traditional or unique, was it successful or not successful, etc.
