Reflection on the character of the little match girl in the short story The Little Match Girl by Andersen

Topic: Reflection on the character of the little match girl in the short story The Little Match Girl by Andersen

Reflections on the character of the little match girl in the short story The Little Match Girl by Andersen

I. Structuring Thoughts on the Character of the Little Match Girl in the Short Story The Little Match Girl by Andersen (Standard)

Introducing the author and the work:
+ Andersen, a renowned children's author, is famous for enchanting and mystical fairy tales.
+ The story 'The Little Match Girl' is one of the most prominent works, narrating the tale of an orphaned girl, impoverished and unfortunate, selling matches in the midst of the bitterly cold winter.

2. Body of the Essay

- Summarizing the story
+ The little match girl is a pitiful girl: Mother passed away early, and grandmother also died.
+ The alcoholic father always forces her to work, living in a dark, filthy attic...(Continued)

>> See details of the Outline Reflection on the character of the little match girl in the short story The Little Match Girl by Andersen here

II. Sample Essay Reflection on the character of the little match girl in the short story The Little Match Girl by Andersen (Standard)

Childhood memories are often intertwined with enchanting and magical fairy tales, featuring beautiful fairies, colorful lands, unfortunate circumstances, and heartwarming spirits. Andersen's tale, 'The Little Match Girl,' is hailed as one of the greatest fairy tales of all time, serving as the first companion for children worldwide. The standout character is the little match girl, facing a pitiful situation but holding onto a strong belief in a happy life with innocent and simple dreams.

The story revolves around an orphaned girl; her mother and grandmother have passed away. She lives in a cramped, dark attic with her alcoholic father who constantly abuses and curses her. On Christmas Eve, while families gather for warm meals, she must sell matches, or else she won't be allowed back home. In the freezing cold, she lights matches to warm herself, each revealing a scene of her cherished dreams: a blazing fireplace, a lavish feast, a vibrant Christmas tree, and, finally, the kind grandmother who always appears, carrying her to Heaven.

The plight of the little match girl is extremely pitiful. Her family situation is dire, orphaned, with her mother and grandmother gone, living with a father who constantly berates her in a dark, cramped attic. On the bitterly cold Christmas night, while everyone enjoys warmth and celebration, the match girl is 'barefoot, grounded, hungry, wandering the streets,' unable to sell a single match. The contrast between the warmly lit windows of every house and the dark, desolate streets, the 'aroma of roasted goose' opposed to her hunger, and the 'beautiful house surrounded by evergreen trees' compared to her cold, drafty attic highlights her unfortunate and pitiful circumstances. A child who should be celebrating Christmas with family and receiving gifts from Santa Claus finds herself alone, struggling in the freezing streets without any comforts.

Despite the pain and pity, these hardships cannot extinguish her belief in life, filled with simple and innocent dreams. Each match she strikes becomes a moment to live in her dreams, away from the harsh reality. The first match reveals a roaring fire, providing warmth in this cold environment. Her dream is modest and straightforward, merely longing for warmth on a winter night, as if it were a natural expectation for every child. The match extinguishes, and the harsh reality returns, leaving the poor girl worrying about money, fearing her father's abuse and curses. The second match, before her eyes, unveils a banquet with golden roasted geese, gleaming clean cutlery, expressing her desire for a hearty meal. Surely, when her grandmother and mother were alive, she must have experienced proper Christmas nights with delicious meals presented beautifully on a pristine white tablecloth. It turns out that, for a child, a full meal can be so difficult, forever remaining a distant dream. The third match reveals the image of a Christmas tree, a symbol of Christmas and the prosperity of a happy family. And finally, the most emotional detail is when the little match girl sees her grandmother appear as the match burns brightly. Amidst the cold and frost, the grandmother becomes the warmth of a fireplace, a symbol of happiness, and the desired love of the girl. She knows that when the match goes out, her grandmother will disappear. Frantically lighting the remaining matches, she pleads for her grandmother to take her away with heartfelt compassion. The poor girl's dreams have become a reality; now, she will never face cold, suffering, beatings, or curses. She has ascended to Heaven with her grandmother, her mother, and those who loved her, living in a place free from pain, where no one can harm them. The belief of the little girl evokes both sympathy and sorrow, admiration, and preciousness. Simple dreams stemming from the innocent heart of a child. In the midst of shared hardships, she doesn't blame her father; instead, she silently dreams, secretly lighting each match to find a bit of warmth in the solitude.