The Emperor's New Clothes

“He cared nothing about reviewing his soldiers, going to the theater, or going for a ride in his carriage, except to show off his new clothes.”

The emperor is characterized as a vain ruler who neglects the ordinary responsibilities associated with ruling a kingdom. His primary interest is being seen in fancy clothes. His fascination with new clothes makes him more susceptible to the swindlers’ lies throughout the story. His self-obsession drives the plot of the narrative, and it is due to this characteristic that the reader is able to ultimately understand the moral of the fairy tale.

“Not only were their colors and patterns uncommonly fine, but clothes made of this cloth had a wonderful way of becoming invisible to anyone who was unfit for his office, or who was unusually stupid.”

The fabric’s supposed magical qualities are described as being able to reveal an individual’s social status. Only the social elite or truly intelligent should be able to glimpse the fabric. These qualities establish the grounds on which Andersen will satirically comment on the arbitrary nature of social hierarchy and intellectual superiority.

“[The emperor] felt slightly uncomfortable when he remembered that those who were unfit for their position would not be able to see the fabric. It couldn’t have been that he doubted himself, yet he thought he’d rather send someone else to see how things were going.”

The emperor remains proud but is beginning to experience self-doubt. He fears being unable to see the weavers’ fabric and being exposed as a “fool” or an unfit ruler. Rather than trusting his own powers of perception, he decides to send a member of his court in his place. This action is self-serving, and the emperor acts as a model for the kingdom.