One of the most famous writers of fairy tales is Andersen. A brief biography for the schoolchildren of this author should include the main stages of his life, the main milestones of creativity, and most importantly, the features of literary activity. In this regard, it is also necessary to mention his main works, as well as show that he wrote not only fairy tales, but tried himself in different genres, at the same time studying in the theater and creating travel notes. This person was a very multifaceted and versatile personality, while the general public knows him, as a rule, only as the author of fairy tales. However, Andersen’s short biography should include a mention of other areas of his interests and occupations.
Childhood
He was born in 1805 on the island of Funen. He came from a poor family: his father was a carpenter and shoemaker, and his mother was a laundress. The future writer already had problems with getting an education: he was afraid of corporal punishment, and therefore his mother sent him to a Jewish school, where they were forbidden. Nevertheless, he learned to read and write only by the age of ten and wrote with errors until the end of his life.
At school lessons, it is very important to emphasize how difficult Andersen's school of working life has gone. A biography for children should be summarized taking into account several facts of this kind, namely that he was an apprentice in two factories, and these harsh working days left a strong imprint on his worldview.
Teenage years
His father and grandfather had a great influence on him. He himself wrote in his autobiography that his interest in theater and writing arose in his childhood, when he listened to the stories of his grandfather and made improvised home theater shows with his father. In addition, the boy remembered his grandfather for carving funny toys from wood, and the future storyteller himself made clothes and costumes, arranging real scenes at home. A great influence on him had a visit to the Copenhagen troupe, where he once even played one small role. So he realized that he wanted to be a writer and artist. Andersen’s short biography is also interesting because he decided at a very young age that he wanted to be famous and, having saved some money, went to Copenhagen.
Study and theater experience
In the capital, he tried to become an actor, but he still could not master this art. But here he received a good education. At the request of influential acquaintances, he studied in two cities of the country, learned several languages and passed exams for the degree of candidate. Seeing the young man had a great desire to become an actor, the theater director gave him small roles, but very soon he was told that he would never be able to play professionally on stage. However, by that time his talent as a writer, playwright and writer had already manifested.
First works
Andersen’s very brief biography should include his most famous works (besides his tales, which probably everyone knows, even those who have not read them). It is significant that his first literary experience was not fairy tales, but plays written in the genre of tragedies. Here he was waiting for success: they were published, and the writer received his first fee. Inspired by success, he continued to write in the genres of prose, miniature short stories, plays, travel essays and notes. A brief biography of Andersen, the most important content of which, of course, is, of course, the stage associated with the writing of fairy tales, should take into account other aspects of this author.
Travel and dating
Despite the lack of funds, the writer still had the opportunity to travel around Europe. Having received small monetary rewards for his literary works, he traveled to various countries of Europe, where he made many interesting acquaintances. So, he met with the famous French writers V. Hugo and A. Dumas. In Germany, he was introduced to the German poet Heine. The interesting facts of his life include the fact that he had an autograph of Pushkin. These trips were of great importance for the further development of his work, because thanks to them he mastered a new genre of travel notes.
The heyday of creativity
Andersen’s short biography, which is studied by schoolchildren, should primarily include the life stage of the writer, which is associated with writing fairy tales that have gained popularity not only in his homeland, but around the world. The beginning of their creation dates back to the second half of 1830, when the author began to publish his first collections. They immediately gained fame, although many criticized the author for being illiterate, too free in this genre. Nevertheless, it was this genre that glorified the writer. A feature of his tales is a combination of reality and science fiction, humor, satire and drama elements. It is indicative of the fact that the writer himself did not consider himself writing for children, and even insisted that there should not be a single figure of a child around his sculptural image. The secret to the success of the author’s fairy tales is that he created a new kind of essays where inanimate objects, as well as plants, birds and animals became full-fledged characters.
Mature stage of creativity
Andersen's short biography should also indicate his other achievements in the field of fiction. So, he wrote in the genre of prose (the novel "Improviser" brought him European fame). He wrote miniature short stories. The end of his long and fruitful career was the writing of his autobiography, entitled "The Tale of My Life." It is interesting in that it reveals the nature of this difficult person. The fact is that the writer was a reserved and very receptive person. He was not married and had no children. The impressions of youth, a difficult childhood left an indelible imprint on him: he remained an extremely sensitive person for life. The author died in Copenhagen in 1875.
The value of his work is difficult to overestimate. It is hard to find another such popular writer for schoolchildren as Andersen. A biography for children is briefly one of the important topics in school classes: after all, he has become perhaps the most famous storyteller in the world. Interest in his work remains in our days. So, in 2012, on the island of Funen, a manuscript of a previously unknown fairy tale by the writer “Wax Candle” was found.