XVI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Fatherhood and Family

  Lasse's internal struggle to remain upright for Pelle's sake highlights his commitment to being a moral father figure.

• Injustice and Resistance

  Bodil's dismissal and Gustav's disappearance illustrate the harsh treatment of servants and their quiet resistance.

• Community and Belonging

  The communal reactions to the elopement and the prank with the mustard plaster show the tight-knit yet judgmental nature of the farm community.

Characters to notice

• Father Lasse

  Resists temptation to pursue the women who show him favor, choosing to remain upright for Pelle's sake.

• Pelle the Conqueror

  Plays with Hans Peter behind the cow-stable after the elopement; Lasse thinks of him as a reason to stay clean.

• Kongstrup

  Reads Hans Peter's elopement letter with theatrical humor, interferes to prevent Gustav from being forced to work, and leads a prank with a mustard plaster.

• Bodil

  Elopes with Hans Peter, is brought back by his father, and is dismissed from Stone Farm.

• Hans Peter

  Elopes with Bodil, is thrashed by his father, and later plays with Pelle.

• Gustav

  Devastated by Bodil's elopement, lies in bed all day, and later vanishes completely.

Key passages

• “Scriptures commanded, and he would continue to do so. The other thing was only for the great—Abraham, of whom Pelle had begun to tell him, and Kongstrup. Pelle, too, must never be able to say anything against his father in that way; he must be clean in his child’s eyes, and be able to look him in the face without shrinking.”

  Lasse decides to remain faithful and upright, believing that only great men like Abraham and Kongstrup can indulge in affairs, and he wants to be a clean example for Pelle.

  Lasse's moral reasoning and his desire to maintain his son's respect.

• “Her unceasing, wailing protest against her wrongs spread darkness around and brought weariness with it. It was not even with the idea of submitting to the inevitable that she came back, but only to go on as before, with renewed strength.”

  Fru Kongstrup's constant complaining about her grievances creates a gloomy atmosphere, and her return is not about acceptance but about continuing her struggle with renewed vigor.

  Description of Fru Kongstrup's oppressive presence and her refusal to submit.

• “When you read this, I shall have gone forever. Bodil and I have agreed to run away tonight. My stern father will never give his consent to our union, and therefore we will enjoy the happiness of our love in a secret place where no one can find us.”

  Hans Peter's dramatic note announces his elopement with Bodil, citing his father's opposition and their intention to hide.

  The content of Hans Peter's elopement letter read aloud by Kongstrup.