Fedre og farskap i Sigrid Undsets trilogi Kristin Lavransdatter (1920-22)

Abstract

In this thesis, I have examined fathers and fatherhood in Sigrid Undset’s trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter (1920-22). The aim of the study has been to make an examination of the extent of the themes of fatherhood in the trilogy. The most central aspect in the survey is the literary analyses of the various fathers. The analytical work is based upon a wide sample of fathers. In addition, the thesis includes four parameters of care and consideration by which the fathers have been analysed. Based on these parameters, the concepts of care and consideration can be operationalized in the literary analyses. This also makes it possible to draw comparisons between the different fathers. The theoretical basis has been derived from research on fatherhood, theories of consideration and care, the way thematics of fatherhood is depicted in Norwegian literary science and features of the genre historical novel. This study is closely related to the fact that today there is a keen interest in the father’s role in the family. Therefore, the study is also looking into the relevance of the various narratives of fatherhood. My study is based on the idea that fiction can contribute into creating a more nuanced concept of the father figure.