Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age

Transcription

1 Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age Fall 2017, European Humanities 3 credit course Major Discipline: Literature Monday & Thursday , F Instructor: Morten Egholm Ph. D., Film Studies, University of Copenhagen, Cand. mag., Scandinavian Studies, Film and Media Theory, University of Copenhagen, Associate professor, Danish Language, Literature and Culture, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, Has written several articles in Danish, English and Dutch on Danish literature, Danish mentality, TV series and film history. Since January 2012 full time faculty at DIS. Tel More@hum.ku.dk Office hours: Thursday, pm in Room 10 B 15 DIS contacts: Sanne Rasmussen, Program Coordinator, European Humanities Department, sra@dis.dk

2 Course Content: Hans Christian Andersen ( ) is internationally known as the writer of fairy tales. Children all over the world know The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea and other tales. But Andersen also wrote very important works in many other literary genres. As we will discover, Andersen s writings are not just for children. Further, Andersen very often in his works gives insightful commentary that reflects social, philosophical and technological changes throughout the 19 th Century. This course will be a study of 30 fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen as well as extracts from his novels, travelogues, poems, diaries and of his autobiography, The Fairy Tale of My Life. Andersen s significance as an international storyteller will be emphasized by analyzing his tales using various theoretical and methodical approaches and by seeing different perceptions of him through the eyes of his contemporaries and his readers of today. In order to get a feel for Hans Christian Andersen s world, we will familiarize ourselves with the thinking of European Romanticism and important figures of the Danish Golden Age ( ). Andersen s fairytales will provide the backbone for this course that will emphasize his genuine inventiveness and the complexity of his texts. Learning Objectives: The course will provide students with an in depth understanding and knowledge of the literary art of Hans Christian Andersen from his fairytales to other forms of prose. Students will learn to analyze, critically evaluate and appreciate the works to reach an understanding of Hans Christian Andersen as a literary giant and not just the writer of children s fairy tales. At the end of the course, students will be able to: Identify and distinguish the works of Hans Christian Andersen by themes, styles and influences Understand and discuss the historical context of Denmark s Golden Age and gain an understanding of Danish society Understand the fairy tale/artistic tale genre as opposed to folktales Appreciate Hans Christian Andersen as a literary and artistic genius and not just a writer of tales for children Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should immediately contact Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations.

3 Evaluation: Engagement 25 % Midterm 25 % Short Paper 25 % Final Written Research Paper 25 % Engagement Attendance, active participation in class discussions, field studies, being prepared for class by doing the reading and preparing questions and observations. Written Assignments For the writing assignments, you will be assessed by how well you write. You don t have to be an English major to write well. You just need to write clearly, and support your ideas and thesis with evidence from the texts or from reference material being used. If you are unclear as to what I require or what is rewarded please ask. All written assignments should have a title, be double spaced, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page. Short Paper Due on October the 5 th. An interpretation of a fairy tale by Andersen (choose between the two possibilities mentioned below). Your interpretation must include a discussion of how to approach the text by analyzing it by a close reading. 3 4 pages in length. Analyze: Inchelina (Haugaard page 29) or a HCA tale of your choice (but not one we have read in class). Midterm Identification/Short Answer Test in class on October the 26 th. This in class test will cover factual information about HCA, the Danish Golden Age, as well as some short essay type questions of all the tales we have read so far in class.

4 Final Written Assignment Research paper due on December the 4 th. Hand it in to me last day in class or e mail it directly to me on mge@dis.dk DO NOT hand the paper in via Canvas or other online possibilities! For the last paper, you choose to do one of the following: An academic paper (7 8 pages) on a theme of your choice (for example, the portrait of women, Christian elements, role of the child in HCA s tales; development of HCA s style; HCA as a visual artist, etc.). Could include all kind of works by HCA should at least include two outside sources. A re writing of the short paper expanding on the original topic, taking into account comments given on the original paper. Must be 9 pages in length and include at least one more tale of HCA s tales and at least two outside sources. If you choose this option, you may extend your original paper by revising your thesis, and broadening your comparisons. Please follow this suggested structure for your paper: 1. Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated; a brief overview of what you will do and a brief comment about the methodology (comparison, application of a specific theory) 2. Short description/summary of text(s) 3. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons 4. Summary and conclusion 5. Notes and bibliography Young Andersen (Rumle Hammerich, 2005, Denmark)

5 Field Studies: Wednesday, October, 4, : Walking in Hans Christian Andersen s footsteps A walking tour of Hans Christian Andersen s Copenhagen with highlights from the Danish Golden Age. Meet in the DIS Front Desk (Vestergade 7 at 9.15 am). We will be walking in Hans Christian Andersen s footsteps around the old Copenhagen city center where he met, on his daily walks, the philosopher Kierkegaard and other cultural luminaries of this time. Many of the buildings, squares and sites of Copenhagen are the same as during the lifetime of Hans Christian Andersen. On this tour we will get a feel of how and where Hans Christian Andersen lived in Copenhagen, walk his daily promenades and relive, through our imagination, what life was like in the Danish capital in the mid 19th century. Wednesday, November, 15, 1 4 pm: Hans Christian Andersen s life and fairy tales in film We will see clips from some of the most famous adaptations of HCA s fairy tales, and clips from the Hollywood bio pic on the author from 1952 (Danny Kaye playing HCA). In total length we will watch the Danish film about HCA s years at the Latin School in Slagelse, Young Andersen (2005, 115 minutes, directed by Rumle Hammerich). The Ugly Duckling

6 Course Schedule: 1) Aug. 24 th Hans Christian Andersen and The Ugly Duckling Introduction to the course and to the early life of Hans Christian Andersen (HCA); Analysis of The Ugly Duckling taking a biographical approach. HCA: The Ugly Duckling, Haugaard p.216 HCA: The Fairy Tale of My Life An Autobiography, Intro. & p ) Aug. 28 th The Young Hans Christian Andersen + Famous tales about soldiers Focus on the cultural life in the Copenhagen HCA arrives at in Analysis of two of his most famous tales both of them with a soldier as the protagonist. HCA: The Tinderbox, Haugaard p.1 HCA: The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Haugaard p.112 Jens Andersen: Hans Christian Andersen, Chapter 1, p ) Aug. 31 st Once upon a Time. HCA and the folk tale; different sources of inspiration Grimm Brothers: The Six Swans, in course binder HCA: The Wild Swans, Haugaard, p.117 W.H. Auden: Grimm and Andersen, in course binder 4) Sep. 4 th The fairy tale and Structuralism The structure of the fairy tale; structuralism as outlined by Vladimir Propp; HCA s use of the fairy tale and the creation of his own art tales HCA: The Travelling Companion, Haugaard p.40 HCA: Clod Hans, Haugaard p.479 Vladimir Propp: 31 plot elements, in course binder 5) Sep. 7 th. Romantic thinking and Hans Christian Andersen The Danish Golden Age; Pantheism and other key terms in Romantic thinking HCA: The Bell, Haugaard p.275

7 Sep th : CORE COURSE WEEK 6) Sep. 18 th The satirical Hans Christian Andersen Beneath the fairy tale surface you very often find satirical and (typical Danish) sarcastic comments on Danish mentality and society in HCA s stories. We are going to look at what phenomena he s making fun of and how. HCA: The Emperor s New Clothes, Haugaard p.77 HCA: The Shepherdness and the Chimney Sweep, Haugaard p.297 HCA: It s Perfectly True, Haugaard p.405 7) Sep. 21 st Breakthrough as a fairy tale writer and view on children HCA published his first collection of fairy tales in We are going to read two of the four stories of the collection and pay special attention to how he depicted the nobility and children. We are also going to read his breakthrough poem The Dying Child. HCA: The Princess and the Pea, Haugaard p.20 HCA: Little Ida s Flower, Haugaard p.22 HCA: The Dying Child, in course binder Jens Andersen: Hans Christian Andersen, p ) Sep. 25 th The Quest The Little Mermaid is one of Andersen s most complex stories. We will among other things use a psychoanalytical approach analyzing it. We will also discuss Disney s animated adaptation from HCA: The Little Mermaid, Haugaard p.57 Roberta Trites: Disney s Sub/Version of Andersen s TLM in course binder

8 9) Sep. 28 th Mothers & Children How does HCA portray love between mother and child? How does he write about his own mother? HCA: The Story of a Mother, Haugaard p.360 HCA: She was No Good, Haugaard p.452 HCA: Anne Lisbeth, Haugaard p.620 HCA: The Diaries of Hans Christian Andersen, in course binder She Was No Good 10) Oct. 2 nd The Snow Queen A close analysis of one of HCA s most recognized artistic tales. The Snow Queen, Haugaard p.234 Wed., Oct., 4, : FIELD STUDY: HCA s Copenhagen, walking tour and museum visit Meet at DIS front desk in Vestergade 7 at 9.15 am 11) Oct. 5 th The Snow Queen continued We will continue our discussion of this tale HAND IN SHORT PAPER. SEE GUIDELINES ON PAGE 3 Long Study Tour/ Travel Break, Oct, 7 15 th

9 The Snow Queen 12) Oct. 16 th Love Story In many of HCA s stories he explores the idea of love and obsession. We will look at HCA s view on women, love and marriage HCA: The Snowman, Haugaard p.718 HCA: The Butterfly, Haugaard p.782 Lise Sørensen: Give me a Bride, in course compendium 13) Oct. 19 th The Social Critic Even though HCA rose to fame and wealth, he never forgot his humble beginnings and showed sympathy for the poor and sometimes also the criminals. HCA: From the Ramparts of the Citadel, Haugaard p.309 HCA: A Drop of Water, Haugaard p.354 HCA: The Little Match Girl, Haugaard p ) Oct. 23 rd The Dark Side HCA delves into the darker side of man s nature and gives uncanny psychological portraits as well as exploring the theme of the innocent vs. the intellectual. HCA: The Shadow, Haugaard p.334 Sigmund Freud: The Uncanny, in course binder

10 The Shadow 15) Oct. 26 th MIDTERM EXAM IN CLASS, 80 minutes Long Study Tour/ Travel Break, Oct, 28 November, 5 th 16) Nov. 6 th Art vs. Nature Vote to be taken as to what you want to do for Your Class on Nov., 21! HCA s stories of the artist take up the themes of the romantic over the rationalist; culture vs. nature, the genuine vs. the artificial. HCA: The Swineherd, Haugaard p.193 HCA: The Nightingale, Haugaard p ) Nov. 9 th HCA as a novelist I HCA s seven novels are lesser known than his fairy tales. But often these can be the key to a real understanding of HCA s character, his ideas, and the mentality of the times he lived in. Especially O.T. (1836), Only a Fiddler (1837), and To be or not to be (1858). In this class, we will discuss his first four novels, their themes, structure and main ideas. HCA: Only a Fiddler, Part I: Chapter I IV & XII, on Canvas, under Files 18) Nov. 13 th HCA as a novelist II This time, we will focus on HCA s later novels where he preferred praising harmony and peace with God and human existence. HCA: To be or not to be, Chapter I, II, X, & XVIII, on Canvas, under Files

11 Wed., Nov, 15, 1 4 pm: FIELD STUDY: HCA s life and stories in film: Different clips + the film Young Andersen (Rumle Hammerich, 2005, 115 min.) in full length. 19) Nov. 16 nd Wrap up on the film watching Info about Research Paper For this date you should have a general idea about your topic! Introduction to the structure of and expectations for the final research paper. Info about relevant literature. 20) Nov. 20 th This is your class! Depending on the outcome of the class vote on November, 7 Travel Break/Optional Tours, Nov., ) Nov. 27 th HCA and Christmas In many of HCA s stories Christmas and Christmas elements play an important role most often in a complex and symbolic way. HCA: The Pine Tree, Haugaard p.225 HCA: The Pixy and The Grocer, Haugaard p ) Nov. 30 th Death and the Storyteller What was HCA s view of life in his final years? And how did it all end? How does he look at death and the meaning of life? We will read two of his very last stories HCA: The Gardener and his Master, Haugaard p.1015 HCA: Auntie Toothache, Haugaard p.1058 Jens Andersen: Hans Christian Andersen, last chapter 23) Dec. 4 th Summation of course + Danish hygge Hand in your research paper. E mailing it to mge@dis.dk also possible.

12 Literature In the DIS Library, there is a shelf of books and articles on reserve for this class! Required Reading: Hans Christian Andersen. The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories, translated from Danish by Erik Christian Haugaard, New York, 1974 Jens Andersen. Hans Christian Andersen, Overlook Duckworth, New York, 2003, translated from Danish by Tiina Nunnally Hans Christian Andersen. The Fairy Tale of My Life An Autobiography, translated from the Danish by Naomi Lewis, First Cooper Square Press, New York, 2000 Hans Christian Andersen. Only a Fiddler, first edition 1837, translated by Mary Howitt, Harper, New York, on Canvas Hans Christian Andersen. To be or not to be, first edition 1858, translated by Mary Howitt, Harper, New York, on Canvas Recommended Reading (on reserve in the DIS Library): The DIS Library has an excellent selection of the fairy tales, biographies and others works relevant to the class. The Royal Library also has an extensive collection of works on Hans Christian Andersen and his writings in English. Bruno Bettelheim. The Uses of Enchantment, London, 1978 Elias Bredsdorff. Hans Christian Andersen. The Story of his Life and Work , London, 1975 Kjeld Heltoft, Hans Christian Andersen as an Artist, translated by David Hohnen, Christian Ejlers Forlag, 2005 Wolfgang Lederer. The Kiss of the Snow Queen. Hans Christian Andersen and Man s Redemption by Women, Berkeley, 1986 Johan de Mylius. The Voice of Nature in Hans Christian Andersen s Fairy Tales, Odense, 1989 Bente Scavenius. The Golden Age Revisited: Art and Culture in Denmark , Copenhagen, 1996 Jackie Wullschlager: Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Storyteller, Penguin, London, 2001 Websites: The Hans Christian Andersen Center, website: The City Museums of Odense, website: Golden Days, website: Articles in English about Hans Christian Andersen can been found in the journal Scandinavian Studies which can be accessed online.