Review of The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen

When I started reading this story by Hans Christian Andersen, I didn’t have much hope. Anyone who has read my review of your famous ugly duckling knows that I am not a huge fan of his. As I read the beginning of the story, I thought that my fears were not unfounded. First of all, the story is based on fantasy just like the ugly duckling, but instead of a wailing duckling, we have a beautifully singing nightingale (who turns out to be an infinitely stronger and more believable character). This story is doomed like the one above, I thought, and looking at the length, it seemed like it was going to be a difficult read. So halfway through the story, I stopped reading.

I did not like the emperor very much, who seemed to be very fond of having his people trampled on. An element of comedy appears in the story as courtiers rush to find the nightingale so that they are not the ones who must be trampled after dinner. I was relieved that not only did they locate the dear old nightingale, but the nightingale agrees to sing for the emperor.

So far so good, I thought. It wasn’t a spectacular story by any stretch of the imagination up to that point, but it was so much better than the ugly ‘Ugly Duckling’. I could see a spark as the nightingale rejects any kind of material reward for his song and insists that he has gotten more than his fair share by summoning tears to the eyes of the mighty emperor. Here children must understand that for a true artist, touching people with their art means much more than any material wealth they can derive from art.

Quoting the nightingale of history: “I have seen tears in the eyes of an emperor,” he said, “that is my richest reward.”

Although she is reluctant to leave her home in the green forest, she does so because she wants to sing for the emperor and is soon caged, but continues to sing to him. The story was getting a lot more interesting and staying true to nature and human / animal emotions without making a lot of fuss that was made in the ‘Ugly Duckling’

The story improves when the emperor is presented with a mechanical bird that sings like the nightingale, but it is much prettier and adorned with all kinds of precious jewels. Everyone falls in love with this new nightingale, who can sing tirelessly and sing the same old tunes so that people can better follow him, unlike the ‘real’ nightingale, who tends to tire and sing whatever he wants. So our good nightingale, looking at all the attention the brilliant is gathering, decides to go unnoticed. I loved how Andersen describes the emotions of courtiers when they discover that the old nightingale is gone without singing the duet they want with the brilliant.

“What strange behavior,” said the emperor, when his flight was discovered; and all the middlemen blamed her and said she was a very ungrateful creature. The kettle calling the black nightingale! But this is exactly how people tend to react. Quick to tag other people, so that the fact that they deserve the tag can be overlooked not only by other people but also by themselves.

So the whole empire that used to rave about our true nightingale forgets about him and his wonderful art in a few days and is now singing praises to the new mechanized nightingale that is showered with the most ridiculous gifts and so on. Until the unreal nightingale literally explodes. Yes, the story was infinitely improving.

However, the best was yet to come. The emperor soon falls ill and sees death sitting on his bed. I loved the way Andersen describes what we assume are the last hours in the emperor’s life. The good and bad deeds of the emperor talking to him while imploring some music / song to be played so that he cannot hear them is nothing short of genius. The way Andersen carries the story to the end is remarkable. I found myself unable to stop reading and chuckled when I reached the end.

There are so many nuances and nuances in this story.

There is the artistic tone in which the qualities of a true artist are highlighted through the character of the nightingale. How he sings just for his sake and soon captures everyone’s imagination. She still continues to sing for the peasants and peasants in the same place unknown to the wealthy of her empire. He gets fame not through his compatriots, but from outsiders from Japan. But once that recognition comes, his own people begin to realize and recognize the great talent that he possesses. She accepts it and is very happy. She even sacrifices her freedom to be the official singer in the emperor’s court. This is intended to shed light on the fact that even highly talented artists who do not covet material rewards for their art are vain when it comes to praising their art. Clap, clap Mr. Andersen! One thing these artists have that is different from normal vain people is grace – grace to withdraw when they realize their time is up and something younger, more lively (as symbolized by the new bird that never tires) and prettier (symbolized by all the gold, silver, and gems it is made of) is ready to usurp its place. So our true old nightingale flies gracefully and is ridiculed by the very people whose lives he had saved and those who revered his art. Delicious!

Towards the end of the story, the nightingale flies back upon hearing that the emperor is on his deathbed and sings the blues of death tormenting the emperor. When the emperor once again offers her all the rewards in the world, she calmly tells him that she had already received the reward when she brought tears to her eyes when he first sang to her. Once again, completely impressed by the skill with which Andersen brings out the character of a true artist. They may be ridiculed afterwards, but they never forget the fact that they touched a person’s heart. They never harbor any resentment in their hearts and readily offer their art if it is of any help. However, this time, the nightingale is bitten once and shy twice. She agrees to sing for the emperor from the branch outside his palace, but not from within. Andersen wants to convey the feeling of an artist who gets hurt easily; they may easily forgive, but they never forget humiliation.

Then there is the tone of the common man that accompanies everything that the richest people do and say. It is as if they themselves have no opinions and are just elite cheerleaders who seem to be repeating the pattern of agreeing with what the richest people they do and say. A vicious cycle is exposed.

There is the tone of arrogance in the shape of the emperor’s character. It’s quite entertaining, I must say. Delusional in many ways but brilliant in some, just as dictators are supposed to be. He is my personal favorite in this story, following his whims and fantasies but still managing to please his people.

There is also the moral nuance in which we can read about the ease with which people discard what was once so valuable to them, once they find something they believe is better than what they have. Andersen’s Nightingale stands out in the sense that it is a timeless masterpiece. His message also applies to children of this age who seem to abandon the good old arts like reading, writing, drawing, painting, etc. with much more striking versions such as computers, televisions, portable games, etc. But what happens when the batteries run out and there is no electricity? Well, we get back to the basics: the real stuff. It is not that we have to discard everything modern but everything must have its place and importance. We must never discard the old for the new, thinking that we may never need the old again. Nothing is completely disposable. Everything has its place and it is up to us to give even the least important things their rightful place.

There is a comical tone to the story that I found very entertaining, which contrasts with the ‘Ugly Duckling’ who falls flat on his face when trying to conjure up some laughter. Throughout the story, Andersen leaves you laughing and smiling. Whether it’s when courtiers rush to stop their scheduled trampling after dinner or when people name their children nightingale but don’t know how to sing a note! That was fun. This fun yarn continues throughout the story and helps to weave this masterpiece tightly. As I mentioned before, the ending will leave you laughing.

Wonderfully done, Mr. Andersen. I’m glad I took a chance on this one and gave you a second chance.