SIXTH STORY. The Lapland Woman and the Finland Woman

In the story “The Lapland Woman and the Finland Woman,” Gerda continues her journey to rescue Kay, arriving in Lapland, where an old woman offers her guidance for reaching Finland. Despite the hardships, Gerda’s determination remains unshaken. She meets the Finland woman, who, after reading a message from the Lapland woman, reveals that only Gerda’s innocence and purity can save Kay. The Finland woman advises Gerda on how to proceed to the Snow Queen’s palace but warns that she can give no more power than Gerda already possesses – a testament to her inherent strength and the power of her heart.

Upon reaching the Snow Queen’s palace, Gerda finds Kay alone and almost frozen. Through her tears and the warmth of her love, she manages to melt the ice in Kay’s heart and remove the splinter of glass from his eye, breaking the Snow Queen’s spell. Together, they experience a reawakening of their friendship and joy, symbolized by their escape from the cold and desolate palace, and their journey back home. Their adventure underlines themes of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of love against the backdrop of adversity.

By the time they return, spring has arrived, signifying a new beginning and the blossoming of life, in stark contrast to the icy grip of the Snow Queen’s realm. The story culminates in their return to their grandmother, where they find everything as they left it, yet they themselves have changed, matured by their experiences. Their reunion with familiar faces and places is nostalgic and heartwarming, marking the end of their harrowing yet enlightening journey. The story closes on a note of redemption and the reaffirmation of childlike innocence and purity as guiding principles for life, illustrating Hans Christian Andersen’s mastery in weaving tales that capture the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.