This novella explores the forceful and destructive effect of local legend on history, and the potency of music as a mystical and dynamic medium. The story conjures the traditional country life, generation upon generation, and the expectations that peasant parents laid upon their children. Like many of Bjornson’s stories, it is set in a close community where everyone knows about the lives of their neighbours. According to H.H. Boyeson, it was originally written as a text to three paintings by Adolph Tidemand (1814-76) (1895:19).
Brudeferd i Hardanger(
The Bridal Procession in Hardanger, 1848) and
Haugianerne(
The Haugeans, 1852) were among Tidemand’s most famous works.
The story concerns two peasant families, the race of Haugen, poor cottars in the mountains, and the house of Tingvold,
1129 words
Citation: Rees, Kathy. "Brudeslåtten". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 September 2016 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35810, accessed 23 November 2024.]
