Final answer:
Gerda likens herself to Andersen's mermaid to convey her feelings of sacrifice, longing, and being trapped between two worlds, similar to how the mermaid is torn between her sea home and her love for the prince.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerda compares herself to Hans Christian Andersen's mermaid to express a sense of profound loss and unattainable desires. Much like Andersen's mermaid, who sacrifices her voice and undergoes immense pain for a chance to obtain an immortal soul and the love of a human prince, Gerda might feel that she has made significant sacrifices or is in a position where her wishes and dreams are just out of reach. This comparison also suggests a feeling of transformation that is painful and bitter, but also full of hope and longing for a different life – one that Gerda can only dream of.
The sentiments behind such a comparison can be seen as Gerda resonating with the mermaid's sense of being an outsider and undergoing struggles for a chance at happiness that may never come. It's a powerful metaphor for anyone who feels they are on the cusp of a vastly different life yet bound by their current circumstances or past choices, much like the mermaid is trapped between two worlds.