# Night explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

During the night, a loosened ice-cake on Vomb Lake allows Smirre Fox to sneak up on the wild geese. He grabs a goose by the wing, but Nils chases after him, mistaking Smirre for a dog. Nils grabs Smirre's tail and, after a struggle, manages to free the goose, which flies back to the lake. Smirre then pursues Nils, who climbs a young beech tree to escape. Nils spends a cold, fearful night in the tree until dawn, when the sun rises and brings warmth and courage, reassuring him that all will be well.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom vs. Confinement

Nils is trapped in the tree all night, confined by the fox's presence, while the geese fly free at dawn.

### Transformation and Growth

Nils uses his elf-given abilities (night vision, courage) to confront danger and protect the goose, showing his growth from a mischievous boy.

### Nature and Animal Wisdom

The chapter contrasts the treacherous ice and the fox's cunning with the sun's life-giving warmth, which reassures Nils and the forest creatures.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Chases Smirre Fox to rescue a goose, climbs a tree to escape, and endures a cold night until sunrise.

### Smirre Fox

Steals a goose from the ice, is pursued by Nils, and after losing the goose, tries to catch Nils but fails.

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Warns Nils to be careful during the chase.

### Akka

Implied as the leader of the wild geese; the geese fly away at dawn without seeing Nils.

## Key lines

> It is a fact that ice is always treacherous and not to be trusted.

Ice is inherently dangerous and unreliable.

_Opening line sets the tone for the chapter's peril._

> He saw both lake and shore just as clearly as if it had been daylight.

Nils could see perfectly in the dark thanks to the elf's gift.

_Highlights Nils's magical night vision._

> He never before understood the real meaning of 'night.' It was just as if the whole world had become petrified, and never could come to life again.

Nils felt that night made the world seem frozen and lifeless.

_Conveys the oppressive feeling of darkness and isolation._

> It isn't worth while, Nils Holgersson, for you to be troubled about anything, as long as I'm here.

The sun tells Nils not to worry because its presence brings safety and hope.

_The sun's personified reassurance ends the chapter on a hopeful note._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/night
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters