Hans Christian Andersen's "The Shadow" takes up this question -- decidedly one that haunts adults rather than children -- in a strange allegory that reads like a fairy tale but burns at the soul like some mad tale of Poe. And like Poe (and Shelley, Gogol, Dostoyevsky, and many others), Andersen hit upon the folk legend of a double, or doppelgänger, as a metaphor for this desire deferred. With roots deep in popular folklore, these tales of someone with an uncanny resemblance to one's self are chilling enough as far as they go -- for it seems that there's only room in the universe for one of them: either the double or the self must die.
In Andersen's tale, the "learned man" (perhaps "scholar" would be a more apt English translation) permits his shadow to do pursue a course of action he himself was too timid to attempt, and initially counts himself fortunate. The lack of a shadow, after all, was but a minor inconvenience -- what of it? The twist here is that this decision precipitates the birth of a separate entity, one that eventually comes to possess all of the boldness and sense of purpose that the student lacked. The student, gradually and inexorably, is fated to become the shadow's shadow, and eventually even less than that.
Many people assume that fairy tales ought to teach some moral lesson. They forget that, in their original forms, most folktales had no such lesson; it was moralizers such as Perrault (who published the most popular versions of "Cinderella" and "Little Red Riding Hood") who attached morals to them, in part to make them safe for family reading, to harness their wild imaginings in the name of civilizing influence.
But although "The Shadow," like many of Andersen's tales, has a sort of moral in it, there's also a strong contravening force: if we are to avoid the fate of the unfortunate scholar, we must in fact act on our desires, must sometimes step outside the moral and personal codes that bind us. And indeed, anyone who creates -- whether a writer of fictions, a visual artist, or a filmmaker -- is already engaged in the shadow business.
So read this story, and let it speak to you freely -- then post your comment below. If you'd like, you can respond to one of the discussion questions I've prepared to help get your thoughts flowing. I've also put up a link to one quite famous response to this story by the science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin -- the first few pages of her essay offer a remarkable interpretation of the story.
To me, the most interesting part of the story is the idea of the “shadow” itself, and how it can be portrayed as a metaphor for many different things. One could label it as referring to the “darker” aspects of a persons’ personality that are suppressed, but still exist within. It is almost like masking a two-face, with the good side of you showing in public, and the bad side of you remaining private. Most people try and keep the bad side from showing, as they do not want to be painted in a bad light. This is the obvious and peaceful choice, but it can create other problems. If a person does not address their bad side, they can become stressed and anxious. This story suggests that when we mask or deny these negative aspects about us, we can lose control and it can take over our lives. It’s important to allow yourself to express all emotions, including negative ones. Another takeaway I have highlights the shadow’s influence on the main character. When the shadow returns and offers the main character a glimpse of success, it orders the main character to become the shadow’s own shadow. This arrangement eventually ends up with the main character being killed, due to its own actions. The motive of the shadow brings back my first point, highlighting the consequences of neglecting one’s own identity and allowing others to overshadow. By succumbing to the influences of others, you put yourself in danger of losing what’s unique to you. In short, this story encourages us to acknowledge all parts of ourselves – light and shadow – to live faithfully and find out who we truly are.
ReplyDeleteMadison Hutchins:
DeleteI agree with the analysis you have provided. Your response gave me a new way of viewing this story but still could make a connection with. I also believe acknowledging and accepting the bad sides of oneself is necessary. This, however, makes me think about what one can do with the bad and negative. I do not think allowing the bad to encompass our lives is okay. There is more to the process when facing one's bad side. You briefly mention the idea that I have here by not neglecting one's true identity and leading to overshadowing. There must be a balance between the light and shadow for a soul to flourish. Do you think the unnamed scholar could have done something to protect himself from the eventual manipulative and cunning powers of his shadow? Or do you have a personal ideology for one to balance the light and shadow of their identity? I think one must combat the true evil in their lives and within society with first acknowledgement and then self improvement. Or do you believe the bad is necessary somehow, if so why?
I definitely think the main character drowned himself in his own doubt. To me, it felt like he spent the rest of the story trying to put the pieces back together and in doing that he became frantic. I think you can find a balance between the light and shadow of your identity, and it may even be as simple as the idea that nobody is perfect. In accepting and acknowledging your flaws, you may be able to find ways to prevent them from showing. I think if the main character figured this out, he would've been able to completely move on from the shadow that left him and make a new shadow of himself. I totally agree with your point on combating the true evil in your life through acknowledgement and self-improvement. Acknowledging the problem allows yourself to think about what you should do next.
DeleteAllison Quinn:
ReplyDeleteI’m responding to the second prompt question because I feel the connection to it as an artist myself. I think the unnamed scholar who feels like a projection of Andersen is so scared of being unoriginal is because they are creative spirits. The scholar mentions in passing how one likes the book that they have written. However, there’s also that fear of being unoriginal because when creating it feels like a very competitive field. If you want to stand out you have to be original, and do something that’s different then the rest. If he had made his story similar to the novel “Peter Schlemihl '' it wouldn’t have stranded out, and people would have compared them. Later into the story he also mentions how no one likes the story he is writing “the beautiful , and the good '' which arguably could be quite a common theme in stories. He passes a comment saying that no one wants to hear what he has to say, and he feels as though he's in despair because he takes people not being interested to heart. So I feel like for these reasons the scholar could be a projection of Anderson's own thoughts a bit, and how he doesn’t want to be unoriginal in this field.
There is some evidence that Andersen indeed drew from his own experiences in the setting of this story, as he had visited Naples several times, and made note in his journals of the uncomfortable heat and the habit of many people staying indoors during the hottest hours (though Andersen himself seems to have spent plenty of time outside there, taking in the sights).
DeleteMadison Hutchins:
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by this story as it expresses themes I have personally not read in literature before. To begin, I would like to briefly discuss the second prompt provided. I believe the learned man is worried about being unoriginal because he wants his work to be admired by his audience. He does not want to seem like a phony, passing on the stories of others relating to the tale of the shadow in a slightly different manner. He not only treasures originality but also the beauty of life in his literature. He does not want to be seen through the pessimistic story of losing his shadow. He wants to be seen as the true man he is in his eyes, with beauty and grace ingrained in his soul. His anxiety tells us about the struggle of figuring out your own identity in this world, with the pressures of society suffocating you. He wants to be seen as unique and like no one else. I can relate to the anxiety he feels about my experience in modern times. It is sometimes hard to feel your sense of self as being divergent from the identities of those around you. There are several influences in society that push you to fall in line with the population. Fitting into standards of beauty or social behavior are some examples of how society values sameness. The unnamed scholar thrives on the idea of not being ordinary and providing newness to the world with his work. I can relate to this idea in the ways I present myself to such a traditional society. I believe breaking down barriers to create unprecedented change is essential to creating a beautiful, diverse world. To discuss the third prompt, the learned man agrees to the travels and such conditions because he is being worn down by the pressures of the shadow. He finds it unusual to accept the offer from his shadow, so he declines at first. The relationship between the man and his shadow grows through the additional visits. The man is, at first, content with the location he is in and does not accept the travels. The man does not feel as though the shadow owes him anything. Later, he struggles physically and with his literature. He is disheartened that the world does not want to hear about his work on the true, good, and beautiful. The learned man is discouraged by his life and what the world is bringing him. His identity and soul are being broken down by the sorrows his life brings. Thus, the man begins to rely on his shadow to rebuild hopefulness in him. He begins to believe that such travels will heal him of his misery. The man begins to see his shadow as more of a friend than his former shadow, who once existed behind him. The barrier begins to be far more broken between the two “men.” The learned man sees the success of his shadow and longs for his attention. I think, in a way, the misery of the unnamed scholar and the prosperity of the shadow are somehow connected. In a way, the shadow’s departure makes the learned man's miseries come to life over the years. The relationship between leader and follower is beginning to be voided entirely. The shadow manipulates the sickly man with the wisdom that he has gained. The shadow illustrates the conditions of the journey as something favorable for the man. Despite becoming a mature, knowledgeable man, he has become narcissistic and demanding of his former master. The unnamed scholar and his shadow illustrate the differences between the good and bad in the world. In the end, the power positions have now been reversed to the point of no return.
Jodi Fowler
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this story, I slowly realized that maybe the learned man was having some sort of conversation with himself, but towards his shadow. I think he would be like a person who hides behind their shadow instead of taking that leap of faith and do what their hearts intend to do. I also thought that he was in some way doing a bit of role play with his shadow, acting as if his shadow, which would have been him would've accomplished if he went out in search of what his heart desires. He then relished in the idea of searching for poetry, maybe he would have loved to be a poetry writer, and what his life would become like when he reached the ultimate goal. He became rich, being able to afford fancy clothing and expensive jewelry.
I think there is a bigger picture to this, don't hide behind your shadow, take a leap of faith and don't be scared to go after anything you want.
I thought the same at the beginning of the story. I thought the learned man was having conflict with himself. But when the shadow left and then returned to tell him how his life was, I thought as if the learned man was "living through his shadow". So my take and thoughts were similar. And my other take was, that the story wanted you to learn to take action of your own life and not let others influence you in a way you are not comfortable with. The shadow told him to do things the learned man knew wasn't the right thing. And By the time he wanted to speak up, it was too late.
ReplyDeleteLexianna Santos:
ReplyDeleteI am responding to the fourth prompt as I feel as though the learned man’s fate was set in stone by the time, he refused the shadow’s demands. Throughout the tale there were a few instances in which the learned man could have made different choices to potentially alter the course of events. The learned man could have been more aware of the possible outcomes of his actions from the start. If he had considered the negative effects of giving in to the shadow's demands, he might have taken steps to prevent it or found ways to break free from the shadow's influence before it was too late. Another instance in which the learned man could have altered his fate would have been to seek advice from others such as his family, friends, mentos, which could have provided the learned man with insights into the nature of his shadow and the potential dangers associated with its control. The advice and opinions of others might have given the learned man different perspectives which could have cause him to reevaluate his choices. The learned man could have also established clear boundaries with the shadow right from the start. By defining limits on the shadow's sway over his decisions and actions, he could have preserved a sense of his person and prevented the slow takeover. This tale serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of self-awareness and the potential consequences to the negative's effects of themselves.
I am responding to Prompt 4, I did mention it in my last comment but I believe it had a few significant meanings that tied the story together, like the character development of the shadow. for one, I do believe the learned man could of stood up for himself throughout his life in the beginning. The first time the shadow came to visit he talked to him about the things he experienced. However and with each visit that went on it seemed to get more personal when the shadow would talk about his experiences and the money and freedom. The last visit when the shadow asked the man to join him in his travels, and have the man call him a different name and pretend to be the shadow instead, was where the shadow was seeing how far he could take control. this is where the learned man should of spoken but remains silent and went along with it. After this point is where the shadow knew he could do whatever he wanted. with this knowledge the shadow became greedy and the man didn't speak up about what he wanted until the end. By that time it was to late, the shadow took over the life the man could of had.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this story, I would say it holds many different interpretations. I think it shows how often times in life we are persuaded into making decisions that we know are wrong and lead to consequences. The learned man chose to sacrifice his freedom by following the shadow, who ultimately took his life away. I think the learned man was too infatuated with the benefits of money and materialistic things instead of his true passion. He feared the consequences of following his writing career and where it might have taken him. The main message I think this story portrays is how it is crucial to stay true to yourself and stray away from negative things in the world. Also knowing that your decisions and actions narrate how your life will play out. Although it is important to take risks, as the learned man had done, it is important to always be moral and not let negative people influence your truth.
ReplyDeleteLexianna Santos:
DeleteI agree with you, with the fact that for different people they will have their own interpretation for this story. I also agree with your statement that the learned man chose to sacrifice his freedom by following the shadow which shows how the learned man was a follower for so long that by the end of the tale it was to late for the learned man to have his own voice. It is definitely important for others to stay true to themselves and not easily be influenced about every decision they make as it will definitely play a part in the fate of their future.
As I have read through the story I began to realize that the learned man lost his confidence and strength in himself. To respond to prompt 3 I do believe that the learned man agreeing to go along and travel, and the fact that no one likes his books are connected. At the beginning the learned man spoke happily and in great detail about the bustling streets and the life in where he lived, which gave him a sense of pride. He spoke about the heat and the climate as important pieces to his story. As the story progresses and people begin to not like his story, we see him agree to conditions that he previously thought were outrageous. It is possible that as he heard the life that the shadow was living, that it also affected the way he saw himself. The learned man agreeing made it seem as though he was a "shadow" of his own self and now is not only ill, but lacks strength, confidence, and pride to stand up for himself and continue.
ReplyDeleteTo answer discussion question 3, I do believe that no one liking the scholar's books is connected to why he agreed to the conditions and to travel with the shadow. The scholar tries to write books about the good, the true, and the beautiful in the world. However, no one seems to read his books and he begins to not have the best life. The first time the shadow offers to travel with the scholar, he still has some hope in the world and in his writing. As the story goes on the shadow becomes more wealthy and has a better appearance than the man himself. By the time the shadow asks to travel with the scholar again, the scholar is sick, has nothing, and has lost faith in his work and the world. The scholar has already given up on so much that there isn't much left for him the lose by traveling with the shadow. However, I do believe that if people did like his books to begin with he wouldn't have been so defeated and willing to risk what he had to go with the shadow.
ReplyDeleteA good comment, Payton! I agree with you that, by the time he finally agrees to accompany his Shadow, he has a lot less left to lose. And yet, I also think that it's implied that the lack of success of his books is itself due to the fact that, having severed himself from his shadow, the learned man can no longer write with the same sense of conviction.
DeleteI chose to answer questions number 3. I believe the scholar's initial decision to not want to travel with his shadow and then eventually agreeing while also having to accept specific conditions, points towards a significant change in his character. The change in the scholar's behavior could be influenced by a feeling of desperation or a strong desire for change. The fact that he is now willing to take on a journey and follow certain conditions may imply a shift in his perspective and priorities. The connection I see between his less popular writings and the choices he makes indicates a possible connection between creative frustration and the exploration of unconventional paths. This can point out the fact that the scholar might be looking for new ways to express himself and find fulfillment farther than the regular norms.
ReplyDeleteJoe Johnson:
ReplyDelete"The Shadow" delves into profound themes of identity, societal expectations, and the consequences of deceit. The narrative explores the repercussions of the man's attempt to conform to a foreign environment, emphasizing the price he pays in losing a part of himself, shown by his detached shadow. The shadow's journey toward autonomy, success, and wealth reflects the allure of societal validation, mirroring the pressures individuals face to conform and achieve external approval. The story serves as a cautionary tale, telling of the potential costs of sacrificing authenticity for societal acceptance. The character of the princess, with her insight and ability to see through deception, adds depth to the exploration of identity. Ultimately, this story prompts reflection on the complexities of self-discovery, the tension between conformity and authenticity, and the profound impact of societal expectations on individual identity. Andersen's storytelling resonates across time, inviting readers to contemplate the universal struggles in navigating the balance between societal norms and personal integrity.
As I read the story, The scholar hesitates to share his shadow loss story because he worries it's already known from "Peter Schlemihl." This fear of being unoriginal shows a desire to be unique and creative. Andersen, the author of "The Shadow," likely faced similar creative struggles. The scholar's worry about being unoriginal might connect to feelings of inadequacy and a need for recognition. In a society valuing originality, he fears his stories aren't special. This reflects societal expectations and pressure to contribute something new. Andersen, through the scholar, comments on the challenges artists face in being original. The struggle to create something fresh while fearing imitation is common among writers and creators. It highlights the tension between following established narratives and breaking new ground, a tension Andersen likely dealt with in his own artistic journey. Overall, the anxiety about originality reveals the scholar's and Andersen's quest for uniqueness and recognition in a world that values innovation.
ReplyDeleteCarina Marques:
ReplyDeleteAnswering question 3, I feel the reason the scholar finally gives into the shadows terms after refusing for so long is because of his unsuccessful writings. He tried to share about his morals in his writings and seeing the good in everything but no one seemed to enjoy that so I feel he may have desired a change that he felt the shadow could give him. Towards the end when the shadow has taken everything from the scholar and still asks to travel along side him I think he agrees just because he was so weak and sickly he feels he has nothing left to loose.
The fact that the scholar agrees to travel with his shadow only after falling ill might suggest a turning point in his life. Illness, in literature, is often used as a metaphor for personal crises or moments of introspection. The scholar's willingness to embark on the journey after experiencing a setback might signify a reevaluation of his life choices or a desire for change. The mention that no one likes the books the scholar writes could be connected to his dissatisfaction with his current state or a sense of unfulfillment in his intellectual pursuits. The journey with the shadow might be a way for him to break free from the monotony or lack of recognition in his current life.
ReplyDeleteThe rejection of one's work or the feeling of being unappreciated can be a common theme associated with artistic or intellectual struggles. The scholar's decision to embark on a journey with his shadow might represent a quest for something beyond worldly success or recognition, seeking a deeper, more meaningful experience.
answer for question 3
DeleteI selected question 4 because it highlights a critical point that the man could have acted earlier when he noticed his shadow beginning to gain independence. Had he stepped into the shadow's role and experienced what the shadow did, he might have gained greater control over it. This proactive approach could have prevented the shadow from leaving and changing the course of events.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI chose to respond to question number 3.
The literature of the shadow is quite interesting, and exploring the themes of duality within oneself. The exploration of understanding the good and evil we possess will always cultivate interesting works in literature and in film. The shadow often represents the hidden or darker aspects of individuals personalities.
When the scholar initially refuses the offer to travel with the with his shadow it is suggesting the denial or the rejection of his own dark nature he has within. However his later acceptance, especially after falling ill, may symbolize his acceptance of the flaws/ hidden side. He might not want to call the shadow by its first name because he desires to maintain a certain level of separation.
The fact that no one likes the books he writes could be connected to the theme of duality, it may seem like the rejection of the scholars own self or denial of his shadow may be affecting his creativity and overall affecting the publics reception to him. The story may be exploring the theme of embracing who you are is essential for personal growth.
Byron:
ReplyDeleteI chose to answer question #1 and what I see as the signifcance of the contrast of climates is it is based on this idea of racism. I feel the shadow dissapers when it is hot because the person just stays home and lives with this fear during the day that if he goes outside for being person of color they will be mistreated or possibbly
killed. On the contrary their shadow is normal when sun goes down because its cold and people don't like the cold as much as the warm weather. Most importantly there are barely people oustide because they are all sleeping and they will be able to go outisde and do anything they so desire without being judged or not feeling welcomed in society because people are looking at them differenlty. The contrast of weathers is emphazing when the person feels more comfortable to show their true potential or best form.
Mia JeanLouis
ReplyDeleteI choose to answer the third prompt question. A change in the scholar's viewpoint on his shadow in Hans Christian Andersen's "The Shadow" demonstrates a change in his character. His initial hesitancy to accept the shadow's offer can be interpreted as a sign of his unwillingness to take up unexpected or appealing opportunities. But after becoming ill, he does pay more attention, which could be a sign of vulnerability or an interest for change. The conditions he agrees to, such as not calling the shadow by his first name, might indicate a loss of identity or independence in exchange for benefits he believes he will receive. The scholar's unlikable readings may be related to his personal problems or dissatisfaction with his own work.
Elizabeth Rubenstein
ReplyDeleteI am responding to question 4 about how the learned man could have done things differently initially. He could have changed his fate, and it was not too late from the beginning, but as time passed, the gap closed to change how things were. There are a few parts in the story where the learned man could have stood up for himself or spoken out against his shadow. If he did, he would have been able to gain control back and stand up for himself against the shadow's demands. Being more aware of what the shadow was doing could have helped him out. There were hints that each time they spoke, it was getting more personal, showing that the shadow was creating his own life and growing. Another was when the shadow became his own person, gaining independence; that should have made the learned man think about what was really going on. At this point, he should have established some boundaries with the shadow. This way, the shadow wouldn't feel like he could walk all over him and take over. As the story goes on, their last visit is when the shadow asks him to call him a different name and pretend to be the shadow. The shadow wanted to see his control over him; this is where he should not have stayed silent. If the learned man had stood up for himself instead of being silent, the shadow wouldn't have gained control and taken over. The man should have also listened to others, taking their advice to help him realize what was going on with the shadow. This story shows us how we should be self-aware.
I’m responding to the fourth question. In the story, the man has the opportunity to act differently from the start by challenging the shadow and putting up a fight against its demands. He should've asked for guidance or support to comprehend the effects of his actions because advice and opinions of others might have given the man different perspectives, which could have caused him to reevaluate his choices. The terms he accepted from the shadow set him up for his eventual downfall. Also, he could have told the princess who he really was and his intentions, but the shadow had already established itself which made it difficult for the man to escape the repercussions of his actions. The story highlights the significance of choices and the possibility that once chosen, certain paths cannot be changed. As well as to stand up for yourself and not hide behind your own shadow.
ReplyDeleteThis was Blake Fonseca (incase my name isn't visible)
DeleteJeremy Melise:
ReplyDeleteI am responding to the 2nd prompt which is about the anxiety when it comes to being unoriginal. When it comes to writing or telling stories, you will always wonder if people will be intrigued by your one-of-a-kind story, or will they compare it to a story that has already been created. The unnamed scholar had decided to not tell his story because he had no desire to be told that his experience was only an imitation of a well-known story back in his home country. Hans Christian Andersen was probably worried about being unoriginal because it would make people think that he did not have his own creative ideas and that he was trying to become famous from taking ideas. Being unoriginal would cause people to not take Andersen seriously and question his past work and his future work. This anxiety shows that Hans Christian Andersen was passionate about his work and wanted people to know how individually creative he was. He was the kind of person that people could look up to and be inspired by just by creating original stories.
I chose to answer question four. I believe that the learned man made the mistake of letting his shadow go. Once he did that there was no turning back. Since the Shadow gained knowledge and most importantly a body he was able to do great things. Since now the shadow wants to have his own shadow he goes back to the learned man to ask him to be his shadow. By the time the learned man realizes the Shadow has gained independence and is doing better he was too late and in turn he got executed.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Viveiros
ReplyDeleteI believe him letting go of his shadow was a mistake he realized too late. His shadow represents the part of ourselves that goes against what we would usually do therefore disobeying society. But everyone needs that little part of them, so getting rid of the shadow was a huge mistake. Especially when the shadow starting to become its own person and then growing its own shawdow. That's when he really knew he messed up
I decide to respond to the third question in the prompt. The scholar's perspective on his shadow in Hans Christian Andersen's "The Shadow" changes, which indicates a shift in his personality. It is possible to read his initial hesitation to accept the shadow's offer as an indication of his reticence to seize unforeseen or alluring possibilities. He does, however, pay more attention now that he's sick, which may indicate vulnerability or a desire for change. The terms he consents to, like not addressing the shadow by his first name, could point to a loss of identity or autonomy in return for advantages he anticipates receiving. The reason behind the scholar's unlikable readings could be his personal issues or his discontent with his own writing.
ReplyDelete