Bjørnstjerne Martinus Bjørnson, Nye Fortellinger: Mors Hender [New Tales: Mother’s Hands]

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This novella addresses ongoing social and political themes in Bjørnson’s oeuvre. He explores the position of women in Norwegian society, both married and single. Set partly in Christiana, it also conjures the contemporary resistance to Swedish sovereignty. References to Swedish officers are ironic: “two stately Swedes with their bland courtier eyes, are looking rather pale: perhaps they have been wounded as well as decorated in advance” (164). At the time of writing, the Norwegians were strengthening their army and navy, and demanding greater political freedom. The story encompasses two viewpoints: the present (the careless life of pleasure experienced by the daughter, Magne) and the past (the married life of Magne’s mother).

Part 1

Part 1

At the railway station in Christiana, there

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Citation: Rees, Kathy. "Nye Fortellinger: Mors Hender". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 October 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35835, accessed 29 March 2024.]

35835 Nye Fortellinger: Mors Hender 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.

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