Bjørnson’s novella uses the geographical setting and family history of
The Heritage of the Kurts(1884) and introduces into it the figure of Kirsten Ravn. The Ravn family first appeared in Bjørnson’s work in the play
The New System(1879), and, in both works, it is represented as a family that holds religiously together, uniting against all newcomers. As with
The Heritage of the Kurts,Bjørnson explores ideas of heredity, and the conscious attempts by mothers to expunge paternal traits in their sons. There are many parallels between the mother-son relationship in
The Heritage of the Kurtsand
Absolom’s Hair: both widows strive to control their sons’ lives by self-sacrificial acts, which at times are experienced by the youths as maddening interference.
Bjørnson was clearly
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Citation: Rees, Kathy. "Nye Fortellinger: Absalons Haar". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 26 October 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35837, accessed 13 October 2024.]