Bjørnstjerne Martinus Bjørnson, Fiskerjenten [The Fisher Maiden]

Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

This novel explores the narrow mentality of the Norwegian small country town, and the way in which bold characters can assert authority and thrive, while weaker individuals fade into the background, living shadowy unfulfilling lives. It also attests to the smallness of the country as a whole, and the difficulty of shaking off a bad reputation once acquired. As in many of Bjørnson’s early novels, the location is unnamed, giving it a representative quality, but once the protagonist moves out of that restrictive sphere, she enters the more tangible world of Bergen, then into the countryside beyond, finally ending up in the metropolis, where she finally has the opportunity to practice her long-desired vocation as an actress.

The novel’s theme of the Lutheran objections to theatre and

2173 words

Citation: Rees, Kathy. "Fiskerjenten". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 September 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35808, accessed 13 October 2024.]

35808 Fiskerjenten 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.