The Old Gravestone by Hans Christian Andersen
This tale revolves around a young girl who discovers an old gravestone with her name on it. She becomes obsessed with the idea of dying and being buried beneath it. Her fixation grows to the point where she begins to neglect her daily life, causing concern among those close to her. The story explores themes of mortality, obsession, and the human desire for control over one's own fate.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1842 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 1,468 words
First lines
In a little provincial town, in the time of the year when people say "the evenings are drawing in," there was one evening quite a social gathering in the home of a father of a family. The weather was still mild and warm. The lamp gleamed on the table; the long curtains hung down in folds before the open windows, by which stood many flower-pots; and outside, beneath the dark blue sky, was the most beautiful moonshine. But they were not talking about this. They were talking about the old great stone which lay below in the courtyard, close by the kitchen door, and on which the maids often laid the cleaned copper kitchen utensils that they might dry in the sun, and where the children were fond of playing. It was, in fact, an old gravestone.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Gravestone is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1842 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hans Christian Andersen
- Date: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Family Saga
- Length: 1,468 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Gravestone by Hans Christian Andersen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Similar titles
- The Old House by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Old Street Lamp by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Girl Who Trod Upon Bread by Hans Christian Andersen
- Of Skarl The Drummer by Lord Dunsany
- The Mysterious Cup by Johann Ludwig Tieck
- The Story Of The Year by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative contains elements of fantasy and moral lessons typical of fairy tales, with an angelic figure imparting wisdom to a child.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a past era and involves historical elements, such as the old convent churchyard and the lives of Preben and Martha.
- Philosophical Fiction — The themes of memory, legacy, and the passage of time are explored, prompting reflection on human existence and the nature of remembrance.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character development and thematic depth rather than plot-driven action.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Fantasy · Mystery · Supernatural · Gothic · Dark Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Short Story · Classic Literature · Danish Literature · 19th Century Literature · Symbolism