University of Makati

College of Computer Science

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Title: The Emperor’s New Clothes

Author: Hans Christian Andersen

Published: year of 1837
Total book pages: 41 pages
Book Link: https://www.shortkidstories.com/story/the-
emperors-new-clothes/

Image source :
https://images.app.goo.gl/rkiJvSLt5No1mba29
 University of Makati

College of Computer Science

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Author:
Andersen’s fairy tales, consisting of 156 stories across nine volumes
and translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally
embedded in the West’s collective consciousness, readily accessible
to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face
of adversity for mature readers as well. His most famous fairy tales
include “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The
Nightingale,” “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”, “The Red Shoes”, “The
Princess and the Pea,” “The Snow Queen,” “The Ugly Duckling,”
“The Little Match Girl,” and “Thumbelina.” His stories have
inspired ballets, plays, and animated and live-action films. One of
Copenhagen’s widest and busiest boulevards, skirting Copenhagen
City Hall Square at the corner of which Andersen’s larger-than-life
bronze statue sits, is named “H. C. Andersens Boulevard.”

Book Theme
• Truth
• Wisdom
• Stupidity
• Naivety
• Incompetence
• Honesty
• Self-deception
 University of Makati

College of Computer Science

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Summary of Plot
• Two swindlers arrive at the capital city of an emperor who spends lavishly on clothing at the
expense of state matters. Posing as weavers, they offer to supply him with magnificent clothes
that are invisible to those who are stupid or incompetent. The emperor hires them, and they set up
looms and go to work. A succession of officials, and then the emperor himself, visit them to
check their progress. Each sees that the looms are empty but pretends otherwise to avoid being
thought a fool. Finally, the weavers report that the emperor’s suit is finished. They mime dressing
him and he sets off in a procession before the whole city. The townsfolk uncomfortably go along
with the pretense, not wanting to appear inept or stupid, until a child blurts out that the emperor is
wearing nothing at all. The people then realize that everyone has been fooled. Although startled,
the emperor continues the procession, walking more proudly than ever.

Rising Action
• The emperor gets weavers to make him a magic robe.

Characters
• Emperor - was a leader that got comforted with his position and all of the sudden he was
confronted with the fact that he could lose his position for stupidity and incompetence.

• Conmen - were sly and managed to fool the whole castle and in the end, they accomplished their
goal and got rich.

• The child - is the voice of consciousness in this story. In his naivety and a life deprived of
ambition linked to material interests, he is the only one that spoke the truth. At the end, we have a
question whether anyone needs honesty and truth in a world ruled by lies.

• Servants - are the people loyal to the Emperor and they live in fear of losing their jobs if they
seem stupid by saying they don’t see anything. Just to keep their position they are ready to accept
any kind of lie and support it.