The Sandman

About “The Sandman”

"The Sandman" is a short story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, first published in 1816 in the collection Night Pieces. The story follows the protagonist Nathanael, who becomes involved in a love affair with an automaton. The narrative explores themes of mistaken identity, possession, and hallucination. The relationship between Nathanael and the automaton leads to psychological turmoil and a breakdown. The story reflects on the dangers of obsession and the blurred line between reality and illusion. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.)