The Sandman

Hoffmann was a Romantic writer who was interested in the supernatural and the darker side of human nature. How does the story reflect that interest?

Compare the role of automatons and mechanical figures in “The Sandman” with modern advancements in artificial intelligence. What function do these figures serve in the story? Do equivalent technologies serve a similar function in contemporary society? Do contemporary readers have similar fears as Hoffmann?

What role does the epistolary form play in “The Sandman”? How does it affect the reader’s perception of the characters and events?

Nathanael and Clara have contrasting worldviews. How do their differing perspectives on fate, destiny, and free will contribute to the story’s psychological dimensions and tragic conclusion?

Analyze how Hoffmann uses setting to convey mood and meaning. Consider places like the tower, the market, and the domestic spaces in the story.

Examine the role of father figures in “The Sandman.” How do they influence Nathanael’s outlook on life, relationships, and destiny?

Hoffman’s tale rests on the ways that a children’s story makes such an imprint on a child that it haunts their adulthood. Are there other children’s stories that have been imagined this way? What similarities do those stories have with that of the Sandman?

Typically, protagonists are the characters that readers most identify with. Is Nathanael an identifiable character? Do you connect with him? Why or why not?