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Carrie
Registered User
(9/15/00 12:04:29 pm)
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Little Matchbox Girl
Does anyone remember this story from childhood? I'd like to hear thoughts on the tale? Memories? It seems to be one of those that sticks with me into adulthood, and I'm trying to discover why it seems such a poignant story. I'm thinking of writing my own version and am interested in some feedback.
Cheers.
Carrie
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Kerrie
Registered User
(9/18/00 3:18:07 pm)
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Re: Little Matchbox Girl
www.vbride.com/victoriana...hgirl.html
I just reread the story and thought how lovely it was, and sad. I think it may stick out because it's about trying to hold on to a vision- of the past, of what's missing in life, of love, of home, security. It's not one that stuck with me as much as others did (Cinderella, always doing all the housework- or so it felt; Rapunzel, trapped and hidden from the world- self-imposed at times; Little Princess and Anne of Green Gables, trying to be good and pretend the world is better than it seems; Secret Garden, having a secrtet world no one can take away), but I think it holds hope, as the others, in one way or another, do.
I think it's a perfect story to remember for the holidays, and everyday, about those less fortunate, reminding ourselves how lucky we might be compared with others. I have to admit, I tend to obesess over such matters, trying to make myself feel better by at least reading stories about "the less fortunate," inevitably making myself feel guilty and ending up hell-bent on a mission to serve!
It actually has small elements of other tales (or maybe they borrowed from it) that I've enjoyed. It reminds me of when Sara Crew is locked up in the attic room, a kitchen maid princess in Little Princess. And Richard Paul Harris's The Christmas Candle, about a man who only wants a simple candle, and the light it bears on the world around him.
Well, I have to go so dinner doesn't burn, but those are my thoughts so far on "The Little Match Girl."
Edited by: Kerrie Edited
by: 9/19/00 1:57:06 pm
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Kate
Registered User
(9/19/00 11:13:06 am)
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Little Matchbox Girl
I've done a 'rewrite' of this story too, but it's one that makes me strangely uncomfortable and I've never sent out. There is such intentionality and exactitude in the Andersen narrative--and a certain exalted quality to the violence imposed on its suffering little heroine, blue with cold, dying, then dead. I suppose I felt guilty when I wrote my version of the tale because I too failed to save her. "She was trying to get warm" is one of the saddest lines ever. This story makes me feel not warm humanity but helplessly frozen.
Anyway, I think of this story as emblematic of Andersen's peculiar spiritual and intellectual infatuation with the notion of the 'beautiful death.' In his work, and this story is one of the best examples, you find so much physical punishment. In this case, it's imposed on a totally innocent victim
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Carrie
Registered User
(9/19/00 12:54:05 pm)
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Re: Little Matchbox Girl
Kate your reply made me think of the "Sleeping Beauties" book, with its oddly beautiful portraits of dead children being held in their parent's arms one last time. Kerri -- thanks for your notes as well. I think I'm trying to write about it ending on a happier note. What if...sorta thing. I'm actually thinking of it as a Christmas story set around Las Posadas in Old Tucson in the late 1800s -- territorial days. I see it as a story about street urchins -- homeless children left to the face the cruelty of the world on their own.
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Kerrie
Registered User
(9/19/00 2:05:07 pm)
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similar tale...
After a lovely weekend at an orchard this weekend, and seeing all of the beautiful little children, it made me think to write a story (yes, another mess of notes) set up here in New England with a little street urchin as the heroine. Not sure if mine wil have a happy ending though. (Of course, I think it will definitely be happier than the story I was up until 2 AM writing and am still writing-- let's just say the crow discussion sparked that baby!) But I suppose I should stop talking about it and just write it, eh? Anyone who wants to read it when it's finished, email me and I'll send it on- I'd love input!
kerriec@mailandnews.com
Edited by: Kerrie at: 9/20/00
7:38:34 am
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Carrie
Registered User
(9/19/00 4:46:37 pm)
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Re: similar tale...
Sign me up on both the crows and urchins. Can't wait.
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Kate
Registered User
(9/19/00 6:02:33 pm)
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My earlier posting
I just realized my reply was cut off two paragraphs before it actually ended. Now, two hours later, I would be hard-pressed to reconstruct what I wrote there--and have to rush off to a class. So this is to say sorry, Kerry and Carrie, for that inchoate posting. And I didn't mean to bring too much depression to the discussion on this tale.
I'll try to re-post my thoughts later, if their gloomy focus doesn't distract you too much from your altruism...!
Also, I'd love to hear more about the story ideas.
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Kate
Registered User
(9/19/00 6:03:35 pm)
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LMG
That's sorry, Kerrie (not 'Kerry'), I mean!
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Pounamu
Registered User
(9/19/00 8:48:53 pm)
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Re: LMG
Hi Carrie
this is one of the tales i remember very clearly from childhood, and i recently re-read as part of a research essay comparing Astrid Lindgren's stories with fairy and folk tales. Some of what Andersen was commenting on was the social attitudes in Denmark at the time and the enormous divisions in society between rich and poor. Also he never felt that he never fitted in anywhere, so the LMG desires to be a part of a warm home and family are a reflection of Andersen's desires to belong - this is most poignantly reflected in The Ugly Duckling.
Good luck with your reworking!
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