Bjørnstjerne Martinus Bjørnson, En Dag [One Day]

Kathy Rees (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.3.5: Norwegian Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Kjerstin Moody (Gustavus Adolphus College), Sven Hakon Rossel (Universitat Wien), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen (University College London), Anja Tröger (University of Edinburgh)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1884

Places

Norway (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Story

Resources

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This short story explores the tension between dream and reality, set against a background of music. The story is punctuated by romantic songs, which inspire and touch the heroine, Ella. She is courted by two men: Aarø, known for his musical talent, and Hjalmar, celebrated for his courage. However, these qualities are debased by dependency on alcohol, which results in behaviour that transforms Ella’s dreams into disappointment.

Aged 15, the lively and attractive Ella is overcome by hearing Aksel Aarø sing “Sleep in Peace” by the German composer, Ferdinand Møhring. By Aarø’s voice, Ella experienced “an emotion in its depths, an affecting confidence, which went to her heart; it seemed to say, “Sorrow, sorrow is the portion of my life; I cannot help myself, I am lost” (122).

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957 words

Citation: Rees, Kathy. "En Dag". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 April 2017 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35902, accessed 19 April 2024.]

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