Genre
Surreal Comedy
Language
English
Setting and Context
1800s Copenhagen
Narrator and Point of View
Told through the point of view of the narrator/told through a third-person point of view
Tone and Mood
Surreal, Violent, Tense, Chaotic, Strange, Ominous, and Disconcerting.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Marjory (Protagonist) vs. Hans Christian Andersen (Antagonist)
Major Conflict
Hans' quest to remain relevant is the primary conflict of the play. To that end, he violently encourages Marjory -- who wants to escape Hans' torture -- to write more popular books.
Climax
Towards the end of Hans' visit to Charles Dickens when the two have a spirited discussion
Foreshadowing
The fact that Charles Dickens also has a pygmy woman he imprisons to write for him is foreshadowed early on in the play.
Understatement
The extent of Hans' depravity and the effect his torture has on Marjory is understated throughout the play.
Allusions
To various figures in European literature, particularly Hans Christian Andersen himself
Imagery
McDonagh's description of Marjory in her cage evokes colonialist imagery
Paradox
Marjory has made Hans rich and famous, yet he treats her inhumanely.
Parallelism
The story of Marjory are her sister are routinely paralleled throughout the play.
Personification
The box which Marjory is imprisoned in is routinely personified.
A violin is called "whiny"
Use of Dramatic Devices
There are several fourth-wall breaks in the film. The most notable one comes when McDonagh mentions that Andersen died from falling out of his bed and that he was gay.
