# XXXIV explained — Pelle the Conqueror

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

## What happens

Pelle is hailed as a hero after a victory against the employers, but the lockout continues and he feels the weight of responsibility. He discovers that Ellen has been selling herself for money, which devastates him. After a confrontation, she leaves him. Pelle wanders the poor districts, encounters a widow who blames him for her husband's suicide, and gives her his last money. At a meeting, a newspaper advertisement reveals that working women are being driven to prostitution, and Pelle, now determined, proposes a radical strike targeting essential services like scavengers and street-cleaners to force a resolution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Labor Movement and Solidarity

Pelle leads the workers to victory and proposes a radical strike targeting essential services, emphasizing collective action and sacrifice.

### Poverty and Survival

The chapter depicts the dire conditions of the poor during the lockout, including hunger, homelessness, and the desperation that drives women to prostitution.

### Injustice and Resistance

Pelle confronts the systemic exploitation of workers and their families, and his plan to strike at essential services is an act of resistance against capitalist oppression.

### Fatherhood and Family

Pelle's family life collapses when he discovers Ellen's actions, and he later gives away his last money, reflecting the personal cost of the struggle.

## Character check-ins

### Pelle the Conqueror

Hero of the day after the victory, but burdened by the lockout; discovers Ellen's betrayal, confronts her, and later proposes a radical strike plan.

### Ellen

Sells her wedding dress and lies about winning the lottery; Pelle discovers the truth and she leaves him.

### Father Lasse

Mentioned as Young Lasse, Pelle's son, who is present during the confrontation with Ellen.

### Lars Hansen

President of the Scavengers' Union; Pelle recruits him to suspend work in the strike.

## Key lines

> That was a glorious stroke! The employers abandoned all further idea of running the works without the Federation.

The employers gave up trying to operate without the workers' union, marking a major victory.

_Highlights the success of the workers' collective action._

> You are lying! Will you tell me the truth? Out with it!

Pelle angrily demands the truth from Ellen after suspecting her deception.

_Shows the emotional climax of Pelle's personal crisis._

> Let us strike them where they have struck us from the beginning! In the belly!

Pelle proposes targeting the employers' essential needs, like sanitation and utilities, to force a resolution.

_Illustrates Pelle's strategic shift to aggressive tactics._

## Links

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