Explore the relationship between the strange and the familiar as presented in “The Sandman.” How does Hoffmann define what counts as strange and what counts as familiar?

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?