33 pages 1 hour read

E. T. A. Hoffmann

The Sandman

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1816

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Character Analysis

Nathanael

Nathanael stands as an intricate amalgamation of obsession, emotional volatility, and vulnerability. His psychology becomes the landscape on which the story unfolds, complementing the suspenseful tale of horror with a nuanced study of the human condition.

Nathanael’s childhood fear of the Sandman is not just a plot device but a psychological anchor that ties him to his past and resurfaces in his adult life. This fear manifests in complex ways, particularly in his relationship with Olimpia, the automaton. His fixation on her is more than an infatuation—Olimpia seems to listen without judgment, offering Nathanael a sense of peace and understanding that he doesn’t find elsewhere. This is especially significant when contrasted with Clara, who represents rationality and often dismisses his emotional complexities. Olimpia, in her silence, becomes a blank canvas onto which Nathanael projects his desires and anxieties. In this context, Olimpia serves as a mirror reflecting Nathanael’s own emotional turmoil. She becomes a vessel for his vulnerabilities, fears, and desires. This one-way-relationship serves as a vehicle for the story to explore deeper existential questions about human connection, emotional dependency, and the blurred lines between reality and

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