If it was written today, this is how it would have been. Back in those times reality was a lot more harsh and brutal. Another mouth to feed could mean the end your own entire family. We should be thankful that the original story went the way it did. It teaches us sympathy and empathy, makes us realize how good we have it today and think of the consequences of leaving others behind, especially for those more helpless than ourselves.
To this day: the story of the little match girl always been a heartbreaking one to me.... and to this day: I had always wanted to save the little match girl and protect her; even if it meant moving heaven and earth and broke the fabric of reality itself to do it. To give her food, clothing, a warm fire and love and kick the ass of her deadbeat, abusive father and toss what's left of him into the Thames.
user_509926 said:
If it was written today, this is how it would have been. Back in those times reality was a lot more harsh and brutal. Another mouth to feed could mean the end your own entire family. We should be thankful that the original story went the way it did. It teaches us sympathy and empathy, makes us realize how good we have it today and think of the consequences of leaving others behind, especially for those more helpless than ourselves.
I imagine that given Death from Discworld, who was appalled by the idea; used his position of Hogfather to save the little match girl; that it's likely Terry Pratchett would disagree. The story of the little match girl, in the original story at it's core: promotes a passive acceptance of suffering, which is a pretty horrible thing. Death, and by extension Terry Pratchett; pretty much told the whole idea to "Sod off".
About one of the only times the Little Match girl was saved..... and how I loved Death himself of all people, and Sir Terry Pratchett; did what I had always hoped someone would do; to save the Little Match Girl.