The Emperor's New Clothes
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Historical Context and Significance
Hans Christian Andersen's tale «The Emperor's New Clothes» holds significant historical and cultural influence. First published in 1837, it has since become a classic of world literature. The story of an emperor deceived by two swindlers claiming they could sew him an invisible outfit, visible only to the wise, has become a metaphor for exposing stupidity, vanity, and hypocrisy. This tale is often used in cultural and political discussions to illustrate how people can fall prey to collective delusion and fear speaking the truth. The phrase «the emperor's new clothes» has become an idiom for situations where an obvious truth is ignored due to fear of public opinion or authority.
Date of publication: 1 July 2024
———The Emperor's New Clothes
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Genre: Children's literature