tatar points out that in hindu belief, a thumb-sized being known as the innermost self or soul dwells in the heart of all beings, human or animal. this concept may have absorbed by european folklore, then taken form as tom thumb and thumbelina. both characters seek transfiguration and redemption. she sees parallels between andersen’s tale and the greek myth of demeter and her daughter, persephone. despite the pagan references in the tale, she notes that "thumbelina" refers to christ‘s suffering and resurrection, and the christian concept of salvation.