Discussion Questions for
Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales

"The Emperor's New Clothes"

Why are so many people in the story willing to say they see something when they do not see it?

Why do you think a child, instead of an adult, is the one to say that the emperor is not wearing any clothes?

What is the moral of the story?

"The Little Mermaid"

The mermaids long to see the world above the ocean, but when they finally do they long for their world under the ocean. Why is this?

The old lady says to the mermaid, "Let us be cheerful. Let us make the best of the three hundred years of our life by leaping and dancing; it's a good long time after all."(pg. 57) Is this good advice? Why or why not?

Why is the little mermaid willing to give up so much to become human? Do you think she made a good decision?

Why do you think the little mermaid decides not to kill the prince?

What is the moral of the story?

©2005-2010 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
Millstone Education: World Literature / http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit