H. C. Andersen as Seen by Critics of German Children's Literature since the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Since 1956 International Board on Books for Young Feople (IBBY), which was founded in Germany in 1953, assigns International Hans Christian Andersen Award in field of children's (see Gilstrup and Scharioth). Unfortunately, sources I had at my disposal did not give any information as to why prize was named after Danish author. It seems, however, that it was no coincidence that in 1953, same year that IBBY was founded, German translation of a French title was published in which Andersen was elected prince des ecrivains de l'enfance. Ehe original, a monograph written by French comparatisi Faul Hazard (1878-1944), first appeared in 1932 under title Les iivres, ies enfants et les hommes. Fart of German translation by Harriet Wegener, which was published by Hoffmann & Campe, was a preface by Erich Kastner, one of founding members of IBBY. It was in 1950s, around 150th birthday of Danish author, that Andersen became ultimate international figurehead of modern children's literature. In some respects case of Andersen resembles that of Erich Kastner: both Andersen and Kastner are mainly and internationally known as children's authors, although both wrote for adults as well. In contrast to Kastner's children's novels, however, Andersen's tales were always much disputed and questioned as children's reading by general literary criticism and notably from children's critics. So majority of these critics refused to acknowledge Andersen's fairy tales as appropriate for children or even as its highlight. It is for this reason that his elevation and transformation into international figurehead of modern children's and naming of little Nobel prize for children's literature after him is a somewhat surprising idea. I My exposition of subject will first be based in particular on Guido Holler's monograph Hans Christian Andersen und seine Marchen,1 which appeared in 1 905 on occasion of the 1 00th birthday of Danish poet (Holler 46) in series Monographien zur Jugendschriftenfrage published by Vereinigte Deutsche Frufungsausschusse fur Jugendschriften [Joined German Examining Boards for Reading] . In penultimate chapter of his monograph, author discusses Andersen's attitude toward child as recipient of tales. Holler states that in Germany, where Andersen's early fairy tales were especially widespread, in contrast to Denmark, Ansicht von seiner Kindertumlichkeit [the view of his childlike nature] had been dominant, an opinion that finally needed to be corrected (34). Holler's arguments are based on reform educationists' view of childhood: Unsere Anschauung von der Seele des Kindes ist eine tiefere geworden [Our view of child's psyche has become more profound]. According to new developments in psychological research, quite a number of literary works could no longer be considered appropriate reading material for children (34). Faradoxically, most of Andersen's tales dealing with children count among these works: Bei weitem nicht alles, was uber ist, ist darum auch fur geschrieben [By far not everything that has been written about children is also written for children] (35). Holler cites as an example tales A Great Grief, written in 1853, and Children's Prattle, written in 1859. In his view, these works are not appropriate reading material for children, and he gives following reason: Kinder konnen sich noch nicht geistig geniesen; ihnen kommen solche Geschichten daher albern oder nichtig vor; denn sie haben weder die Eiefe des Gefuhls noch die Anschauung von dem Wesen des Kindes, die fur ein Erfassen solcher Erzahlungen erforderlich sind [Children are not yet in a position to enjoy themselves spiritually; they find such stories fatuous and trivial since they have neither emotional depth nor comprehension of nature of a child, which are both necessary in order to grasp such tales] (35). …