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The Little Match Girl: genre, summary, structure, plot, artistry
The Little Match Girl: genre, summary, structure, plot, artistry
I. Author Han Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875)
- A Danish writer known for his fairy tales for children.
- Many of his works are beloved by children worldwide, such as 'The Little Mermaid', 'The Snow Queen',...
II. The Work of The Little Match Girl
1. Genre of The Little Match Girl
- Genre: fairy tale.
2. Expressive Technique
- The expressive technique of 'The Little Match Girl': autobiographical.
3. Summary of The Little Match Girl
The story narrates the pitiful situation of the little match girl. On New Year's Eve, the barefoot girl, selling matches, must earn money for her alcoholic father. In the bustling street, everyone rushes past, ignoring her. Faced with such harsh conditions, the girl strikes matches to warm herself. Each match brings forth a dream: images of a fireplace, a dining table, a Christmas tree, a revered grandmother. Finally, on New Year's Day, as households welcome the new year, the girl departs this world, joining her grandmother and God.
4. Text Structure
- The text structure of The Little Match Girl: 3 parts:
+ Part 1: From the beginning to 'her little hands were almost numbed with cold': the pitiful situation of the girl on New Year's Eve.
+ Part 2: Continuing to 'they ascended to God': the matches struck and dreams of the girl.
+ Part 3: The remainder: The tragic death of the little match girl.
5. Content Value of The Little Match Girl
Prepare the essay on The Little Match Girl
6. Artistic Value of The Little Match Girl
- Artistic portrayal of characters through appearance, actions,...
- Construction of contrasting images.
- Creativity in the story's conclusion.
III. Detailed Outline of The Little Match Girl
1. Heartbreaking, pitiful situation of the little match girl on New Year's Eve
a. Circumstances:
- Grandmother's death, inheritance dispersed -> living in darkness, cramped space.
- Regularly subjected to verbal abuse.
- Forced to sell matches, afraid to return home for fear of father's scolding.
b. Image of the little match girl on New Year's Eve:
* Appearance:
- Bareheaded.
- Shoes lost, walking barefoot -> feet red and bruised.
- Wearing an old apron full of matches.
- Snow clinging to her long hair down her back.
* Actions:
- Treading cautiously in the dark night.
- Hungry but still wandering the streets, inviting people to buy matches.
- Crouching in a corner between two houses.
- Feeling bitterly cold, anxious, and scared as she fails to sell any matches.
=> The little match girl suffers a truly unfortunate situation, receiving no love or care from anyone.
2. Matches struck and dreams of the little girl
3. Tragic death of the little match girl
- Time: the following morning.
- Atmosphere of New Year's morning: people excitedly and joyfully leaving their homes to welcome the new year.
- Situation of the little match girl:
+ Rosy cheeks, lips still smiling.
+ Sitting amidst the burnt-out matchsticks.
-> The girl succumbs to the bitter cold.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - END - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The image of the little match girl leaves a profound sense of pity and compassion for her unfortunate, impoverished fate. Hopefully, after studying this work, you will learn to love and care for those around you even more. You're also invited to explore other Grade 6 sample essays on Mytour such as:
- Prepare the essay on The Little Match Girl
- Summary of Early Winter Wind
