# VII explained — Pelle the Conqueror

> Chapter companion for Pelle the Conqueror by Martin Andersen Nexø.

## What happens

Pelle and Lasse visit Lasse's brother Kalle, a stone-breaker living in poverty. The chapter explores Pelle's curiosity about adulthood, truth, and social standing, and includes a trick played on Pelle by Gustav and Ole that sends him on a futile errand.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Survival

Kalle breaks stones for meager wages, living in a small cottage; the chapter highlights the harsh economic realities of the rural poor.

### Dreams and Aspiration

Pelle declares he will own a great farm, and Lasse fantasizes about Pelle's future success benefiting them both.

### Fatherhood and Family

Lasse's protective care for Pelle, their hand-in-hand walk, and the visit to Uncle Kalle emphasize family bonds.

### Social Class and Inequality

The contrast between landowner Kalle and renter Lasse, and the discussion of Per Olsen's court case, reflect class divisions.

## Character check-ins

### Pelle the Conqueror

Pelle shows ambition to own a farm, is tricked into fetching a non-existent 'handle-turner', and grapples with ideas of truth and social class.

### Father Lasse

Lasse walks with Pelle, discusses family hopes and the dangers of women, and carries a bottle of blackcurrant rum for the visit.

### Brother Kalle

Kalle is a stone-breaker living in a humpbacked cottage; he greets Lasse warmly and jokes about poverty.

### Maria

Maria is milking in the cowshed and is called by Kalle to prepare for guests.

### Gustav

Gustav and Ole trick Pelle into fetching a 'handle-turner' as a prank.

### Long Ole

Ole participates in the trick on Pelle and helps with the evening work.

### Per Olsen

Per Olsen is mentioned as having bought the rum and having sworn himself free in court.

### Bodil

Bodil is discussed in the context of her relationship with Gustav and her freedom to associate with others.

## Key lines

> When I grow up, I mean to have a great big farm

Pelle declares his ambition to own a large farm when he becomes an adult.

_Reflects Pelle's aspiration and the family's hope for upward mobility._

> He had discovered the danger of letting his mind lie open, and his small organism set to work diligently to grow hard skin to draw over its vital parts.

Pelle learned to hide his feelings after being punished for showing happiness, beginning to build emotional defenses.

_Illustrates Pelle's coming-of-age and the harsh lessons of social life._

> We get twelve krones a 'fathom' and when I work with a lantern morning and evening, I can break half a fathom in a week. It doesn't pay for beer, but we live anyhow.

Kalle explains the low wages for stone-breaking, barely enough to survive.

_Highlights the theme of poverty and survival._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters