The Ugly Duckling

by Jenny Revitz Soper

Title

The Ugly Duckling

Artist

Jenny Revitz Soper

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

In the fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling," Hans Christian Andersen tells of a homely little "duck" born in a barnyard who long suffers ill-treatment from his siblings and others around him for being strange and unconventional. It slowly develops that the "ugly duckling" was not a duck at all, but rather the offspring of a beautiful swan whose egg had rolled into the duck's nest where it hatched. To his delight and his oppressors' surprise, the Ugly Duckling matured into a swan, the most beautiful bird in the world.

Likewise, author Hans Christian Andersen was a tall, unsightly boy with a big nose and big feet who was cruelly teased and mocked by other children. Rumor has it that he was the illegitimate son of Prince Christian Frederik (later King Christian VIII of Denmark) sent to be raised by others outside the castle walls.

This might explain why Andersen's Ugly Duckling is not confronted with any of the usual tasks, tests or trials of the typical fairy tale hero. Things are simply fated and unfold accordingly, whether or not he takes any action. His superiority evolves merely because he is a different breed from the barnyard rabble who raised him; underscoring Andersen's inherent belief that dignity, worth and dominance are determined by birthright rather than accomplishment. If so, the swan in the story is a metaphor not just for beauty but also for secret royal lineage.

Interestingly, when later questioned about his plans for an autobiography, Andersen simply claimed that it was already written, referencing the fairy tale.

This ugly duckling (really a mute swan) lives in the Swan Pool at Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence Kansas.





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April 10th, 2017

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