The Snow Queen

Gerda is the protagonist of “The Snow Queen,” and her character is a living representation of goodness and innocence, embodying both The Innocence of Childhood and The Power of Perspective. Throughout the story, Gerda makes positive choices and otherwise chooses to see the best in the world. These qualities make her uniquely suited for the journey she undertakes to rescue Kai, and the strength she gains along the journey ultimately allows her to be successful. Her choice to keep a positive, pure outlook makes her a foil for the Snow Queen, who is the embodiment of negativity and evil. Gerda influences everyone she meets, showing how goodness inspires goodness in others. Gerda’s arc is reminiscent of a traditional hero’s, as she undertakes a quest to find something of value and bring it back. In this case, the valuable thing is Kai, and her ability to rescue him from the Snow Queen’s hold proves that Gerda is a hero.

Gerda’s character also resonates allegorically as the story explores Christian and Romantic ideas. With regard to the former, Gerda serves as a Christ figure whose mercy and compassion figuratively resurrect and redeem Kai; she even descends into a version of hell (the Snow Queen’s ice palace) to do so.