The Ugly Duckling - From Victim to Victor

"... my fairy-tales were just as much for adults as for children, who only understood the ornamental trappings, but only as mature adults can they see and perceive the contents. That the naive was only one part of my fairy-tales, that humour was the actual zest in them" - Hans Christian Andersen’s journal entry from June 4, 1875

The Ugly Duckling is not a simple fairytale. It appeals to children through animal characters, an exciting plot, and beautiful language, yet it also appeals to adults who can perceive the illuminating concepts and abstractions. In this episode, I dig deep into three distinct story elements that weave together to illustrate the complete transformation of our hero: Resilience, Self-Concept, and the Hero’s Journey - ending in peace and happiness for the Ugly Duckling.

Discussion Points:

Hans Christian Andersen and his work
Three story strands that weave together - Resilience, Self-Concept, and a Hero’s Journey
Resilience - how is it illustrated?
Self-concept in the duck yard - rejection and abuse
The 3 stages of the ‘Hero’s Journey’
Andersen’s quote about the fairy tale
Rising above discouraging words and becoming himself
Encouraged by joy and hope
Rescued from the ice by a kind farmer
The ‘hero’s return’ and metamorphosis
A quote from the author
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