E.T.A. Hoffmann, "The Sandman"

Here are some quesitons to consider while reading this story.

1. What is the effect of starting story with Nathaniel's letter to his friend Lothar?
2. What makes the "sandman" so horrible?
3. What do you make of the good father's metamorphosis into a double of Coppelius?
4. How does Klara respond to Nathaniel's letter? at first? later?
5. How does Klara counsel Nathaniel to respond?
6. Why has the narrator had so much difficulty beginning his narrative?
7. What is the narrator's relationship to Nathaniel? What emotions does he feel? What does he want us to feel?
8. With Nathaniel safely home, what course does Nathaniel's relationship with Klara take?
9. What is the meaning of the poem Nathaniel writes? What is the effect of the poem?
10. What do you make of the effect of animation he experiences? What does Nathaniel's falling in love with Olympia suggest about love?
11. How do you interpret the ending?