Gerda’s Journey North

The Snow Queen

This thread follows the successive guides, tests, and choices that carry Gerda toward the Snow Queen’s stronghold.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Red Shoes Offering The Red Shoes Offering from "The Snow Queen". The Red Shoes Offering A sacrifice for Kay Gerda offers the Red Shoes to the river, believing it may have taken Kay.

The Red Shoes Offering from "The Snow Queen". The Red Shoes Offering A sacrifice for Kay Gerda offers the Red Shoes to the river, believing it may have taken Kay.

The Red Shoes Offering A sacrifice for Kay Gerda offers the Red Shoes to the river, believing it may have taken Kay. When the shoes drift back, she tries again from an unfastened boat. A journey begun by accident The boat carries Gerda away from town. Her search begins in helplessness, but she soon turns the accidental current into a reason to keep hoping.

The Crow’s News The Crow’s News from "The Snow Queen". The Crow’s News A possible lead A Forest crow tells Gerda of a young stranger who visited the Princess.

The Crow’s News from "The Snow Queen". The Crow’s News A possible lead A Forest crow tells Gerda of a young stranger who visited the Princess.

The Crow’s News A possible lead A Forest crow tells Gerda of a young stranger who visited the Princess. The account resembles Kay closely enough to revive her hope, though it is hearsay rather than proof. Help offered The Forest crow and Tame crow arrange a secret route into the palace. Their practical kindness moves Gerda from wandering toward a specific search.

The Robber-Girl’s Decision The Robber-Girl’s Decision from "The Snow Queen". The Robber-Girl’s Decision Captive becomes ally The Robber-girl initially claims Gerda as a playmate and keeps a knife close.

The Robber-Girl’s Decision from "The Snow Queen". The Robber-Girl’s Decision Captive becomes ally The Robber-girl initially claims Gerda as a playmate and keeps a knife close.

The Robber-Girl’s Decision Captive becomes ally The Robber-girl initially claims Gerda as a playmate and keeps a knife close. After hearing Gerda’s story and the Wood Pigeons’ report, she chooses to help instead of harm her. A purposeful release She unties the Reindeer and sends Gerda north. This decision converts a dangerous encounter into the means by which Gerda can continue her search.

The Women’s Instructions The Women’s Instructions from "The Snow Queen". The Women’s Instructions Practical knowledge The Lapland woman directs Gerda onward and writes a message on dried fish.

The Women’s Instructions from "The Snow Queen". The Women’s Instructions Practical knowledge The Lapland woman directs Gerda onward and writes a message on dried fish.

The Women’s Instructions Practical knowledge The Lapland woman directs Gerda onward and writes a message on dried fish. The Finland woman explains that Kay’s attachment to the palace comes from the mirror fragments lodged in him. Strength redefined The Finland woman refuses to give Gerda supernatural force. She identifies Gerda’s own innocence and persistence as the power that can take her through the final danger.

The Guarded Palace The Guarded Palace from "The Snow Queen". The Guarded Palace A prayer under pressure Living snowflakes gather around Gerda on the approach to the palace.

The Guarded Palace from "The Snow Queen". The Guarded Palace A prayer under pressure Living snowflakes gather around Gerda on the approach to the palace.

The Guarded Palace A prayer under pressure Living snowflakes gather around Gerda on the approach to the palace. She recites the Lord’s Prayer, and her breath takes angelic form as defenders against the guards. The final threshold The Snow Queen’s defenses are overcome without Gerda becoming a fighter. Prayer and persistence carry her into the icy hall where Kay waits alone.

early spring, at the riverbank

autumn, after Gerda leaves the Conjuring woman’s garden

late autumn, during Gerda’s captivity

early winter, at the Lapland and Finland huts

winter, just before Gerda reaches Kay