The Wonderful Adventures of Nils · Chapter
The Sisters explained
Dunfin returns to her home island with the wild geese, where her jealous sisters Prettywing and Goldeye pretend to welcome her but secretly plot against her.
What happens
Dunfin returns to her home island with the wild geese, where her jealous sisters Prettywing and Goldeye pretend to welcome her but secretly plot against her. They attempt to poison Morten Goosey-Gander and later trick him into fighting an eagle, but the eagle turns out to be Gorgo, who recognizes Akka. Prettywing later abducts Thumbietot and drops him into the sea.
Themes in this chapter
Humanity and Compassion
Dunfin's trusting and forgiving nature contrasts with her sisters' cruelty, highlighting the value of compassion.
Redemption and Moral Education
The sisters' malicious schemes fail, teaching a lesson about the consequences of envy and deceit.
Characters to notice
- Dunfin
Returns home with the wild geese; is warmly greeted by her parents but deceived by her sisters.
- Morten Goosey-Gander
Survives poisoning by Prettywing and Goldeye; fights an eagle (Gorgo) to defend the flock.
- Nils Holgersson
Rides Dunfin to rescue Morten Goosey-Gander; later abducted by Prettywing and dropped into the sea.
- Akka
Leads the wild geese; warns Dunfin about her sisters; recognized by the eagle Gorgo.
- Prettywing
One of Dunfin's jealous sisters; attempts to poison Morten Goosey-Gander and later abducts Thumbietot.
- Goldeye
Dunfin's other jealous sister; conspires with Prettywing to harm Dunfin and Morten Goosey-Gander.
- Gorgo
The eagle who fights Morten Goosey-Gander but spares him upon hearing Akka's name.
Key passages
“The Sisters Dunfin had two sisters, Prettywing and Goldeye. They were strong and intelligent birds, but they did not have such a soft and shiny feather dress as Dunfin, nor did they have her sweet and gentle disposition.”
Dunfin's sisters were capable and clever, but lacked her beauty and kind nature.
Introduces the sisters' jealousy and Dunfin's superior qualities.
“The two cruel sisters had much to talk about all the afternoon. They were furious because Dunfin had a suitor like the white goosey-gander.”
Prettywing and Goldeye spent the afternoon angrily discussing Dunfin's handsome mate.
Highlights the sisters' envy and resentment.
“Morten Goosey-Gander thought the eagle considered himself too good to fight with him and flew at him, incensed, biting him on the throat and beating him with his wings.”
Morten Goosey-Gander, angered by the eagle's dismissive attitude, attacked him fiercely.
Shows Morten's bravery and the eagle's restraint.
“Prettywing opened her bill and dropped Thumbietot into the sea.”
Prettywing released Thumbietot, letting him fall into the ocean.
Climactic moment of the sisters' treachery.