the ugly duckling. CREATED BY MOLLY HANDS
the ugly duckling analysis
BUT WHAT DID HE SEE THERE, MIRRORED IN THE CLEAR STREAM? HE BEHELD HIS OWN IMAGE, AND IT WAS NO LONGER THE REFLECTION OF A CLUMSY, DIRTY, GRAY BIRD, UGLY AND OFFENSIVE. HE HIMSELF WAS A SWAN!
-HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON
no. one
the ugly duckling analysis
The story of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson is one that many know. The journey of a duckling trying to find its way into society. Unlike the others, he had extraordinary features, ones that weren’t desired. Simply because of his appearance, the other animals believe such an ‘ugly duckling’ doesn’t belong with them. In spite of where he went, this exclusion was repeated. Upon encountering a group of elegant white birds, the ugly duckling aspires to one day be as beautiful as them. After an unpleasant, cold and isolated winter, the ugly duckling catches his reflection in the crystal clear water, he had adapted to fit in with society. He had grown into a beautiful white swan. This story is a classic tale of searching for one’s own identity as an alternative to assimilation. Although the ugly duckling is put down numerous times, in the end he achieves a happy existence. This encourages children to never give up on their dreams, however the message is not entirely positive. The fact he was segregated because he is too ugly, suggests that once he is a swan, he can be accepted. Thus, it is likely children may believe either that their desire to be accepted is more important than their actions, or that their fate is out of their control, leading them to lose hope. For this zine, I was inspired to go against the message portrayed in The Ugly Duckling. I wanted to create a collection of the variety of skins and show the diversity within our society. I wanted to celebrate the ‘flaws’ and acknowledge the beauty in everyone. My message is that no individual should desire to physically change themselves in order to be accepted as the norm.
NO. two
Stretch Marks and Cellulite
STRETCH MARKS, CELLULITE. MARKS TO BE HIDDEN. WHY SO DISTASTEFUL, AND WHY FORBIDDEN? STOP. DON’T DISGUISE, THE INDUSTRY LIES.
NO. three
NO. four
albinism
ALBINISM EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARY
no. five
albinism
SO UNIQUE. NOT A FREAK.
A SHADE CONSIDERED THE PALEST, IN CONTRAST WITH DARK. ONE MIGHT THINK THEY’RE THE FRAILEST, BUT THEY ARE UNMARKED.
no. six
FRECKLES FRECKLES, DECORATED ON SKIN. NATURAL OR DRAWN, THEY’RE NO UGLY DUCKLING. FOR SOME IT’S A CHOICE, FOR OTHERS IT’S GOD’S CREATION. LET’S REJOICE, AND LEAVE THE FRUSTRATION. ACCEPT THEM AS BEAUTY, IN CLUSTERS OR I N D I V I D U A L S . ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGE, YOU ARE ORIGINAL.
NO. seven
NO. eight
vitiligo
NO. nine
vitiligo
A CANVAS OF TWO COLOURS, PERFECTLY ALIGNED, PATCH BY PATCH. MIXING TOGETHER, A FLAWLESS MATCH.
NO. ten
INSPIRED BY THE UGLY DUCKLING|HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON