Symbolism In The Little Match Girl

The meaningless deaths of children are most difficult to bear. The discreet selfishness of the rich turn a blind-eye to those who are less fortunate. This evidence clearly showed in Hans Christian Andersen excerpt, from The Little Match Girl. In his story, a cold, poor bareheaded girl with naked feet is selling matches on snow covered streets, on the last evening of the year, just before dusk, trying to earn money for her family. The half frozen girl is afraid to return to her ran down home and face her father due to the fact, “nobody has bought anything of her the whole livelong day, no one has given her a single farthing.” (Andersen) Andersen shows his imaginary and symbolism to illustrate this heart wrenching story taking place in London …show more content…
She cares not for her appearance or her long blonde curly hair. She sees through the windows, the beauty of gleaming candles, and smells the heavenly aroma of roast goose for the reason that it is New Year’s Eve, and it’s only those of substance that will enjoy the delights. Two buildings, roofs touching, giving her a small roof like shelter, covering her head, she gently seats herself and hovers in fear. Growing colder by the minute, she tries to cover her shivering feet. Furthermore, if she returns home without any payment for the matches her father will unquestionably be angry. Therefore, she remains on the frozen streets rather than deal with the rags and straw that barely cover her home …show more content…
Darkness envelopes the girl, cold chills her bones. She takes up one of her bundles of matches strikes one touching the bundle with the flame, they all catch fire. She feels the warmth surge through her body, she sees her grandmother, and she feels the loving hands pick her up. Our little maiden is filled with alacrity as they fly away into the brightness of