The Shadow

Brief Overview

In Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale «The Shadow», a scholar travels to southern lands to study nature and culture. One evening, he notices that his shadow comes to life and separates from him. The shadow begins to live its own life, becoming successful and influential, while the scholar remains in the background. Over time, the shadow returns to the scholar, offering him to become its shadow, but the scholar refuses. Ultimately, the shadow deceives everyone, including a princess, and the scholar ends up in prison, where he is executed, while the shadow takes his place in society. The tale raises questions about the duality of human nature and how easily one can lose their identity.