# XXV explained — Pelle the Conqueror

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

## What happens

Pelle and Sort travel together through the countryside, discussing life, religion, and the future. They visit Pelle's father Lasse, who is broken by the loss of his farm and wife Karna. Pelle tries to convince Lasse to leave with them, but Lasse refuses, resigned to death. Sort and Pelle continue their journey, with Pelle determined to cross the sea and seek a better life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Survival

Pelle and Sort's itinerant shoemaking, Lasse's despair over losing his farm, and the struggle to make a living highlight the theme of survival amid poverty.

### Fatherhood and Family

Pelle's concern for his father Lasse and his desire to care for him in old age, contrasted with Lasse's brokenness and refusal to move on.

### Dreams and Aspiration

Pelle's ambition to cross the sea and seek a better future, despite his recent hardships, reflects his enduring hope and aspiration.

## Character check-ins

### Pelle the Conqueror

Travels with Sort, discusses his past and future plans, visits his father Lasse, and expresses desire to cross the sea.

### Sort

Hunchback shoemaker traveling with Pelle, philosophical and religious, shares his wisdom and plans to accompany Pelle.

### Father Lasse

Pelle's father, broken by the loss of his farm and wife Karna, refuses to leave and resigns himself to death.

### Karna

Mentioned as having worked herself to death, Lasse's wife and Pelle's mother figure.

## Key lines

> I want to have my share⁠—even if I have to strike a bloodsucker dead to get it⁠—and that couldn’t be any very great sin!

Pelle expresses his desperation and willingness to use violence to claim what he believes is rightfully his.

_Shows Pelle's anger and frustration with social injustice._

> I was thinking about life. Here you walk at my side, strong and certain of victory as the young David. And yet a month ago you were part of the dregs of society!

Sort reflects on Pelle's rapid transformation from a degraded state to a hopeful one.

_Highlights the theme of redemption and change._

> I go nowhere now except to the churchyard. They have taken my farm away from me, and Karna has worked herself to death, and I myself have left what strength I had behind me.

Lasse declares he has no future left, having lost his farm and his wife, and is resigned to death.

_Illustrates the devastating impact of poverty and loss on the elderly._

## Links

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