The Steadfast Tin Soldier
A small tin soldier stands on a table, part of a toy theater. He falls off and becomes separated from his partner, a ballerina. The two are swept up by different people and have various adventures. Eventually, they are reunited in the fireplace where they melt together into a single figure.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1838 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 1,978 words
First lines
THERE were once five and twenty tin soldiers. They were brothers, for they had all been made out of the same old tin spoon. They all shouldered their bayonets, held themselves upright, and looked straight before them. Their uniforms were very smart-looking -- red and blue -- and very splendid. The first thing they heard in the world, when the lid was taken off the box in which they lay, was the words "Tin soldiers! " These words were spoken by a little boy, who clapped his hands for joy. The soldiers had been given him because it was his birthday, and now he was putting them out upon the table.
Similar titles
- The Constant Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen
- A Story From The Sand Dunes by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Old Street Lamp by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Roses And The Sparrows by Hans Christian Andersen
- Little Idas Flowers by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Shoes Of Fortune by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features fantastical elements, moral lessons, and anthropomorphic characters typical of fairy tales.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is simple, imaginative, and intended for a young audience, with themes of bravery and love.
- Fantasy — The plot includes magical elements such as toys coming to life and a goblin in a snuffbox.
- Adventure — The tin soldier embarks on a perilous journey, facing various challenges and dangers.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Short Story · Puppetry · Drama · Tragedy · Loss · Grief · Childhood · Nostalgia · Imagination · Fantasy · Realism
What this Textopian page supports
The Steadfast Tin Soldier is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1838 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: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 1,978 words
- Structure: 1 section, 32 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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