The Little Match Girl

Style and Technique

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen is written in the fairy tale genre but with elements of realism. The narrative style is simple and concise, making it accessible to children while deeply touching adults. Andersen uses vivid and expressive imagery to convey the heroine's emotional state and create a contrast between the cold reality and the girl's warm dreams. Literary devices include symbolism (matches as a symbol of hope and warmth), contrast (between the girl's poverty and the festive mood of others), and metaphors (the girl's visions as embodiments of her desires and hopes). The story's structure is linear, with a gradual build-up of tension, enhancing the drama of the ending. The language is rich in descriptions, helping the reader to immerse themselves in the story's atmosphere and feel the tragedy of the main character.