# II explained — Lavengro

> Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on his childhood as a soldier's son, constantly moving with his family. He recounts two vivid memories: seizing a viper as a toddler, which he attributes to an inherent power over creatures, and later exploring a Golgotha at Hythe where a massive Danish skull sparked his lifelong fascination with Norse lore. He contrasts these personal experiences with the broader patriotic fervor of the Napoleonic Wars, a time of national unity and military spectacle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Roving

The narrator's life as a soldier's son involves constant travel and wandering, with monthly changes of scene and residence.

### Philology and Learning

The narrator's encounter with the Danish skull sparks a lifelong interest in Norse language and lore, including the study of Snorro's histories.

### Honor and Morality

The chapter celebrates the patriotic fervor and gallantry of the era, with emphasis on loyalty to country and the fight against the French.

## Character check-ins

### Lavengro

The narrator recalls his early childhood as a wanderer, his encounter with a viper, and his fascination with a Danish skull at Hythe.

### Brother

The narrator's brother, who screamed in terror when the narrator picked up a viper, and later helped lift the giant skull at Hythe.

## Key lines

> I have been a wanderer the greater part of my life; indeed I remember only two periods, and these by no means lengthy, when I was, strictly speaking, stationary.

For most of my life I have been a traveler; I recall only two brief times when I stayed in one place.

_The narrator establishes his lifelong habit of wandering due to his father's military career._

> It is my firm belief that certain individuals possess an inherent power, or fascination, over certain creatures, otherwise I should be unable to account for many feats which I have witnessed, and, indeed, borne a share in, connected with the taming of brutes and reptiles.

I am convinced that some people have a natural ability to charm animals, which explains my own experiences with taming wild creatures.

_The narrator reflects on his ability to handle the viper without being bitten, attributing it to an innate power._

> From that moment with the name of Dane were associated strange ideas of strength, daring, and superhuman stature; and an undefinable curiosity for all that is connected with the Danish race began to pervade me.

After that, the word 'Dane' conjured up thoughts of immense strength and bravery, and I developed a deep curiosity about Danish culture and history.

_The giant skull at Hythe ignites the narrator's lifelong interest in Norse and Danish lore._

> Stirring times those, which I love to recall, for they were days of gallantry and enthusiasm, and were moreover the days of my boyhood.

Those were exciting times that I fondly remember, as they were filled with bravery and passion, and they were also the days of my youth.

_The narrator nostalgically recalls the patriotic atmosphere of the Napoleonic Wars during his childhood._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters