Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Boyhood in Norway: Stories of Boy-Life in the Land of the Midnight Sun, by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen
It was a bright morning in January, and, as it happened, Lars’s
fourteenth birthday. To his great delight, his mother had gone down to
the judge’s to sell some ptarmigans, and his father had gone to fell
some timber up in the glen. Accordingly he could secure the rifle
without being observed. He took an affectionate good-by of Stella,
who rubbed her soft nose against his own, playfully pulled at his
coat-collar, and blew her sweet, warm breath into his face. Lars was a
simple-hearted boy, in spite of his age, and quite a child at heart.
He had lived so secluded from all society, and breathed so long the
atmosphere of fairy tales, that he could see nothing at all absurd
in what he was about to undertake. The youngest son in the story-book
always did just that sort of thing, and everybody praised and admired
him for it. Lars meant, for once, to put the story-book hero into the
shade. He engaged little Marit to watch over Stella while he was gone,
and under no circumstances to betray him--all of which Marit solemnly
promised.
With his rifle on his shoulder and his skees on his feet, Lars glided
slowly along over the glittering surface of the snow, for the mountain
was steep, and he had to zigzag in long lines before he reached the
upper heights, where the bear was said to have his haunts. The place
where Bruin had his winter den had once been pointed out to him, and
he remembered yet how pale his father was, when he found that he had
strayed by chance into so dangerous a neighborhood. Lars’s heart, too,
beat rather uneasily as he saw the two heaps of stones, called “The
Parson” and “The Deacon,” and the two huge fir-trees which marked the
dreaded spot. It had been customary from immemorial time for each person
who passed along the road to throw a large stone on the Parson’s heap,
and a small one on the Deacon’s; but since the Gausdale Bruin had gone
into winter quarters there, the stone heaps had ceased to grow.
Under the great knotted roots of the fir-trees there was a hole, which
was more than half-covered with snow; and it was noticeable that there
was not a track of bird or beast to be seen anywhere around it. Lars,
who on the way had been buoyed up by the sense of his heroism, began
now to feel strangely uncomfortable. It was so awfully hushed and still
round about him; not the scream of a bird--not even the falling of a
broken bough was to be heard. The pines stood in lines and in clumps,
solemn, like a funeral procession, shrouded in sepulchral white. Even if
a crow had cawed it would have been a relief to the frightened boy--for
it must be confessed that he was a trifle frightened--if only a little
shower of snow had fallen upon his head from the heavily laden branches,
he would have been grateful for it, for it would have broken the spell
of this oppressive silence.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Boyhood in Norway
Context of the Source
Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (1848–1895) was a Norwegian-American author who wrote extensively about Scandinavian life, blending folklore, realism, and romanticism. Boyhood in Norway: Stories of Boy-Life in the Land of the Midnight Sun (1872) is a collection of semi-autobiographical tales depicting rural Norwegian childhood in the 19th century. The stories emphasize the harsh yet magical nature of Nordic life, where folklore and reality intertwine.
This excerpt follows Lars, a 14-year-old boy living in isolation in the Norwegian wilderness, who—inspired by fairy tales—sets out to hunt a bear, emulating the heroic deeds of storybook characters. His journey reflects themes of youthful idealism, the clash between myth and reality, and the awe-inspiring (yet terrifying) power of nature.
Themes in the Excerpt
The Romanticization of Heroism & Fairy Tales
- Lars is deeply influenced by folklore and storybooks, where the "youngest son" always embarks on daring quests and is praised for his bravery. His decision to hunt the bear is not pragmatic but driven by a childlike desire to prove himself—to outdo even the heroes of legend.
- The text highlights the danger of idealism: Lars fails to recognize the real peril of his quest, showing how myth can distort perception, especially in an isolated, imaginative child.
Isolation & the Supernatural Atmosphere of Nature
- Lars’s secluded upbringing ("he had lived so secluded from all society") has made him more susceptible to the mystical allure of nature. The wilderness is not just a physical space but a realm of fairy tales and omens.
- The silence and stillness of the forest take on a supernatural quality, reinforcing the idea that nature in Norwegian folklore is alive, watching, and potentially malevolent.
The Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
- Lars’s fourteenth birthday marks a threshold—he is no longer a child but not yet a man. His attempt to hunt the bear is a rite of passage, a test of courage that will either prove his maturity or expose his naivety.
- His fear ("his heart beat rather uneasily") contrasts with his earlier bravery, showing the internal conflict between boyish fantasy and the harshness of reality.
Human vs. Nature (The Sublime)
- The bear’s den is described with forboding imagery—the stone heaps ("The Parson" and "The Deacon"), the absence of animal tracks, the unnatural silence—all suggest that this is a sacred, cursed, or taboo place.
- The sublime (a literary concept where nature inspires both awe and terror) is evident in the personification of the forest ("solemn, like a funeral procession"). Nature is not just a setting but an active, almost sentient force.
Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
Foreshadowing & Suspense
- The stone heaps ("The Parson" and "The Deacon") serve as an omen—their stagnation (no new stones added) suggests that the bear’s presence has halted human activity, hinting at danger.
- The absence of sound ("not the scream of a bird—not even the falling of a broken bough") creates dread, making the reader (and Lars) anticipate something sinister.
Personification & Pathetic Fallacy
- The pines are described as standing "solemn, like a funeral procession," giving the forest a mournful, almost human quality.
- The snow is not just white but "sepulchral" (burial-like), reinforcing the deathly stillness of the scene.
Symbolism
- The rifle & skees (skis): Represent Lars’s attempt to arm himself against nature, but also his inexperience (he moves slowly, zigzagging, showing his hesitation).
- The bear’s den: Symbolizes the unknown, primal forces of nature—something ancient and untamed, contrasting with Lars’s youthful innocence.
- Stella (the dog) & Marit (the younger girl): Represent the domestic, safe world Lars is leaving behind. Their names ("Stella" = star, "Marit" = a common Norwegian name meaning "pearl") suggest purity and protection, which Lars abandons for his quest.
Irony
- Lars believes he is emulating a hero, but the reader (and likely the narrator) knows he is woefully unprepared. His childlike confidence ("he could see nothing at all absurd in what he was about to undertake") is ironic because the danger is very real.
Sensory Imagery
- Visual: The "glittering surface of the snow," the "two heaps of stones," the "great knotted roots" of the fir trees.
- Auditory (or lack thereof): The oppressive silence is more terrifying than any sound would be.
- Tactile: The "sweet, warm breath" of Stella contrasts with the cold, harsh winter, emphasizing the warmth of home vs. the cruelty of nature.
Significance of the Passage
Cultural Reflection of Norwegian Folklore
- The excerpt captures the Norwegian relationship with nature—both reverent and fearful. In Scandinavian folklore, the wilderness is often populated by trolls, spirits, and dangerous beasts, and Lars’s quest mirrors traditional heroic sagas where young men must face supernatural trials.
- The stone heaps ("The Parson" and "The Deacon") reflect old Nordic customs of marking sacred or dangerous places, reinforcing the blend of Christianity and pagan belief in rural Norway.
Coming-of-Age & the Loss of Innocence
- Lars’s journey is a microcosm of growing up—he starts with boldness, but the reality of fear sets in. The bear hunt is not just about killing an animal; it’s about confronting the unknown and realizing the weight of his actions.
- The silence of nature acts as a mirror to his own doubts, suggesting that true heroism is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face it.
The Conflict Between Myth and Reality
- Lars’s belief in fairy-tale heroism clashes with the harsh truth of survival. The story critiques romanticized adventure, showing how danger is often downplayed in legends.
- The absence of animal tracks near the den suggests that even wildlife avoids this place—a sign Lars ignores in his youthful arrogance.
Conclusion: What the Text Reveals About Lars’s Character & the Story’s Direction
This excerpt sets up a pivotal moment in Lars’s life. His initial confidence is being eroded by the overwhelming presence of nature, forcing him to confront his own mortality. The bear (whether he encounters it or not) is less important than what the quest reveals about Lars:
- Is he truly a hero, or just a reckless boy?
- Will he survive this test, or will nature teach him a brutal lesson?
- Does he return changed, or does he retreats to the safety of childhood?
The passage blurs the line between fairy tale and reality, leaving the reader to wonder: Is Lars’s world one of magic, or is the real magic in his imagination? Either way, the Norwegian wilderness—with its silence, beauty, and danger—emerges as the true protagonist of the story.
Final Thought
Boyesen’s writing immerses the reader in a world where nature is both wondrous and terrifying, where childhood dreams collide with adult realities. Lars’s journey is not just about hunting a bear—it’s about hunting for identity, courage, and the truth behind the stories he’s been told. The excerpt masterfully builds tension, making us feel the cold, the silence, and the creeping dread alongside Lars, ensuring that whether he succeeds or fails, he will never see the world the same way again.