The Snow Queen

“The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen was first published in 1844 in the New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection (alongside “The Fir-Tree”). “The Snow Queen” is one of Andersen’s longest stories and represents the struggle of good against evil through the friendship of two young children, Gerda and Kai. The tale is one of Andersen’s most noteworthy works and has been reprinted in many collections and compilations. “The Snow Queen” has also inspired retellings in several forms, including books, movies, and stage plays, and it was the main inspiration behind the 2013 Walt Disney Studios movie Frozen.

Andersen was a prolific author, penning 156 fairy tales for children, including “The Snow Queen,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “The Ugly Duckling.” His works have been translated into over 125 languages and are household names across cultures and countries. After receiving a basic education at a school for poor children, Andersen was accepted as a singer into the Royal Danish Theatre, where a colleague’s comment about being a poet prompted Andersen to take up writing. Andersen published his first story, “The Ghost at Palnatoke’s Grave,” in 1822, and he later attended school in Elsinore.

This guide follows the Pushkin Press 2015 illustrated paperback edition of The Snow Queen.

Plot Summary

At the story’s outset, best friends Gerda and Kai are content to spend their days together, laughing, listening to stories, and enjoying life. Unknown to either of them, the devil has created a magic mirror that reflects the worst of anything it shows. Delighted with his invention, the devil flies up to heaven to make fun of the angels’ reflections, but on the way, he drops the mirror, which shatters. The pieces spread across the world, lodging in people’s minds and hearts, and anyone affected becomes bitter and cold.

On the day the mirror shatters, two shards attach to Kai—one in his heart and one in his eye. From that moment on, Kai no longer cares for Gerda or the simple joys of life. Instead, he makes fun of her, preferring to spend time with the older boys in his village. While out playing during the winter, Kai is kidnapped by the wicked Snow Queen, who takes him far from his village and freezes his heart so he forgets Gerda and his past joy.

Back home, Gerda fears something bad has happened to Kai and resolves to find him. On her journey, she faces witches, bandits, and the loneliness of the wide world, but her determination and joy are never dampened. With the help of everyone she meets, Gerda finally reaches the Snow Queen’s palace and Kai. Her tears thaw Kai’s heart. As a result, Kai begins to cry, dislodging the mirror’s piece from his eye and bringing back his childlike innocence and wonder. The two return home, where they grow up secure in the knowledge that they will always have one another.