# The Fisherman and the Draug explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Jonas Lie.

## What happens

Elias, a poor fisherman on Kvalholm, spears a monstrous seal that is later revealed to be a Draug. After buying a mysterious Fembøring built by a boat-master instructed by the Draug, Elias takes his family on a voyage. The boat races a phantom vessel, capsizes in a storm, and Elias drowns after confessing the Draug's revenge. His son Bernt survives, rescued by the Finn girl, and later marries her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and Folklore

The Draug, a vengeful sea spirit, appears as a monstrous seal and later as a humanoid figure, driving the plot's supernatural revenge.

### Fate and Free Will

Elias's actions—spearing the seal and buying the cursed boat—set in motion an inevitable doom, yet Bernt's survival suggests a glimmer of free will.

### Human vs. Nature

The brutal storm and the sea's power directly challenge Elias and his family, leading to their deaths and Bernt's struggle for survival.

## Character check-ins

### Elias

The poor fisherman who spears a monstrous seal (the Draug) and later buys a cursed Fembøring. He drowns after confessing the Draug's revenge.

### Karen

Elias's wife, who hears uncanny noises on Kvalholm and perishes in the storm along with the children.

### Bernt

Elias's sixteen-year-old son who survives the shipwreck by clinging to the overturned boat's keel. He later marries the Finn girl.

### The Draug

The monstrous seal Elias spears, which later reveals itself as a Draug that haunts and ultimately destroys Elias.

### The Boat-Master

The boat-builder who sells Elias the Fembøring, having been instructed by the Draug to build it cunningly below the waterline.

### The Finns

The little Finn girl taken into service by Elias's family; she rescues Bernt and later marries him.

## Key lines

> When it comes to a Fembøring, Elias, look to thyself!

A voice from a skerry warns Elias to beware when he acquires a Fembøring.

_The Draug's prophetic warning foreshadows Elias's doom._

> Nay, look to thyself, Bernt, and hold on fast. I go to mother—in Jesus' Name!

Elias tells Bernt to save himself and then lets go, drowning.

_Elias's final words show his acceptance of death and concern for his son._

> He wedded the Finn girl, and moved over to Malang, where he got him a clearing in the forest, and he lives there now, and is doing well, they say.

Bernt marries the Finn girl and starts a new life as a farmer in Malang.

_The story ends with Bernt's survival and new beginning, contrasting with his father's tragic fate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-fisherman-and-the-draug
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_32_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters