Ticket No. 9672 · Chapter
III explained
This chapter introduces the Hansen family of Dal, focusing on Joel and Hulda, the children of the widowed Dame Hansen.
What happens
This chapter introduces the Hansen family of Dal, focusing on Joel and Hulda, the children of the widowed Dame Hansen. Joel is a strong, skilled mountain guide and hunter, deeply devoted to his sister and his cousin Ole Kamp, whose departure for Newfoundland he regrets. Hulda is a charming and graceful young woman, the betrothed of Ole, who helps run the family inn. The chapter also describes the family's noble ancestry, the reserved and self-reliant nature of Dame Hansen, and the financial struggles of their farm due to poor seasons.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice and Family Loyalty
Joel's deep regret at not being able to dower Hulda and his willingness to take Ole's place at sea highlight the theme of familial sacrifice and loyalty.
Social Class and Equality
The chapter discusses Norway's lack of aristocracy yet high democratic dignity, noting the Hansen family's noble lineage despite their humble innkeeping status.
Nature and Norwegian Identity
Joel's life as a mountain guide and hunter, and the description of the Telemark landscape and wildlife, emphasize the connection between Norwegian identity and the natural environment.
Characters to notice
- Joel Hansen
A 25-year-old mountain guide and hunter, tall and strong, deeply devoted to his sister Hulda and cousin Ole. He regrets not being able to provide for Hulda's dowry to prevent Ole's departure.
- Hulda Hansen
Ole's betrothed, now 18 years old, described as charming and graceful with pale golden hair. She greets guests at the inn with a cordial handshake and is known for her beauty and kindness.
- Dame Hansen
The widowed mother of Joel and Hulda, about 50 years old, reserved and self-reliant. She wears mourning and manages the inn and farm, but is uncommunicative about financial troubles.
- Ole Kamp
Cousin of Joel and Hulda, raised as a son by Harald Hansen. He left Dal to seek fortune overseas, and his departure is deeply regretted by Joel.
- Harald Hansen
Deceased husband of Dame Hansen and father of Joel and Hulda. He was an innkeeper who raised Ole Kamp as his own child.
Key passages
“A worthy lad was Joel Hansen. Twenty-five years of age, well built, tall, like all Norwegian mountaineers, proud in bearing, though not in the least boastful or conceited.”
Joel Hansen is a commendable young man of twenty-five, tall and sturdy like the Norwegian mountaineers, with a proud but modest demeanor.
Introduces Joel's physical and personal qualities.
“When Ole Kamp left Dal to embark for the last time, how deeply Joel regretted his inability to dower Hulda and thus avert the necessity for her lover’s departure!”
Joel felt great regret that he could not provide a dowry for Hulda, which would have made Ole's departure unnecessary.
Highlights Joel's sense of responsibility and family loyalty.
“Hulda at that time was exactly eighteen years of age. She was not the piga , as the servant in a Norwegian inn is called, but rather the froken , the young lady of the house, as her mother was the madame.”
Hulda was eighteen and held the status of the young lady of the house, not a servant, while her mother was the madame.
Clarifies Hulda's role and social position in the inn.
“There is no aristocracy in Norway, however; still, though the democracy everywhere rules, that does not prevent it from being aristocratic to the highest degree. All are equals upon an exalted plane instead of a low one.”
Norway lacks a formal aristocracy, but its democracy is aristocratic in spirit, with all people equal on a high level rather than a low one.
Explains the unique Norwegian social equality and dignity.
