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ReadingLiterature:

Fiction, Poetry, and Exercises Based on the Common Core

State Standards

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Level

The Father

B j ø r n s t j e r n e B j ø r n s o n :∂

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The Father

Analysis of “The Father” by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

qualitative measures

levels of meaning

This “peasant tale” resembles a biblical parable and has the same type of impact and long-lasting effect. Indeed, the main theme seems to be the importance of religion and humility in one’s life. There are other important ideas, though, including the relative lack of importance of wealth when compared to the love for and quality time spent with one’s family. There is also the inner struggle of “man vs. himself,” as the protagonist must face a harsh truth and act accordingly.

structure

The story is told by an impartial narrator in a simple, chronological form, so the point of view is third-person-objective. Therefore, readers can come to their own conclusions about emotions and meanings based on the facts and the dialogue or, in some cases, the silence.

language Conventionality and Clarity

The language of the tale reflects the setting in which it takes place and in which it was written: a rural locale (in Norway) in the mid-nineteenth century. Somewhat archaic language is sometimes used: “What shall his name be?…What is your pleasure this evening?” But the narrative is easy to follow, and the tone is uncluttered and straightforward.

Knowledge Demands

Students should have some background knowledge of formal, Christian religious practices, such as publishing the “banns” (announcing a wedding), as well as a basic understanding of Christian beliefs and the duties of a local priest or minister.

quantitative measures

Flesch-Kincaid and Lexile measures both place this story in the 3rd-5th grade band, based on their quantitative parameters. The story, however, is much more subtle in the topic it is dealing with than the language and syntax imply. Students reading it only for its simple plot will miss the significance conveyed in that simplicity. It is important to keep in mind that, according to the CCSS in Appendix A, the Lexile Framework and other measures “may underestimate the difficulty of texts that use simple, familiar language to convey sophisticated ideas.”

Flesch-Kincaid: 3.4 Lexile Measure: 730L

reaDer-tasK ConsiDerations

These are to be determined locally with reference to such variables as a student’s motivation, knowledge, and experiences, as well as purpose and the complexity of the task assigned and the questions posed.

reCommenDeD PlaCement

Although qualitative and quantitative measures support the teaching of this text in the grades 3-5 complexity band, teachers should realize that it can be profitably read in later years by more mature students who can more fully appreciate and understand the depth and broad applicability of the story.

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InTRoducTIon

“The Father” This story, first published in 1860, is classified as a “peasant tale,” a type of folktale. The main character, while a peasant in terms of social class, is also a successful farmer. Though the setting is rural Norway in the mid-nineteenth century, “The Father” is universal in its appeal and popularity, partly because it is short, easy to understand, and centered on basic human concerns, but mostly due to its moral and philosophical depth. It closely resembles a biblical parable and has a similar, long-lasting impact.

Bjørnstjerne BjørnsonThe winner of the 1903 Nobel Prize for Literature, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was born on December 8, 1832 in Kvikne, a village about 230 miles north of Oslo, Norway. Known by English readers primarily for his stories about rural life, he was also a prominent playwright and poet who was, at one time, as famous as his countryman, friend, and fellow playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906). Both are included in the so-called “Big Four” Norwegian writers of the nineteenth century, along with Alexander Kielland and Jonas Lie.

In 1849, Bjørnson left for Christiana (now Oslo) to study at a college preparatory school, where he became friends with Ibsen, who was also attending the school. Drawn to the world of the theater, he soon drifted away from his formal education and became a critic of drama and literature for the local newspaper. Becoming active and successful in theater circles, in 1859, Bjørnson joined Ibsen in founding the Norwegian Society for Theater, Music, and Language. Meanwhile, Bjørnson had also become a popular writer of stories, many of them set in the scenic lands of his boyhood, as are his first two novels, Synnøve Solbakken (1857; translated as Trust and Trial) and Arne (1859). An 1859 poem by Bjørnson, “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, We Love This Land”), was set to music and became the Norwegian national anthem.

Bjørnson’s later years were filled with the writing of many plays and a vigorous involvement with politics, as he strongly championed the independence, cultural legacy, and unique identity of Norway, the rights of peasants and common workers, and equality for women. He had become used to spending winters in Paris, one of his favorite cities, and he had also gone there to receive treatment for a heart condition. It was ultimately unsuccessful, however, and he died on April 26, 1910.

Reading Literature: Level 10

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The FatherBjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1860)

I

The man whose story is here to be told was the wealthiest and most influential person in his parish; his name was Thord Överaas. He appeared in the priest’s study one day, tall and earnest.

“I have gotten a son,” said he, “and I wish to present him for baptism.”

“What shall his name be?”“Finn,—after my father.”“And the sponsors?”They were mentioned, and proved to be the best

men and women of Thord’s relations in the parish.“Is there anything else?” inquired the priest,

and looked up. The peasant hesitated a little.“I should like very much to have him baptized

by himself,” said he, finally.“That is to say on a week-day?”“Next Saturday, at twelve o’clock noon.”“Is there anything else?” inquired the priest,“There is nothing else;” and the peasant twirled

his cap, as though he were about to go.Then the priest rose. “There is yet this,

however.” said he, and walking toward Thord, he took him by the hand and looked gravely into his eyes: “God grant that the child may become a blessing to you!”

II

One day sixteen years later, Thord stood once more in the priest’s study.

“Really, you carry your age astonishingly well, Thord,” said the priest; for he saw no change whatever in the man.

“That is because I have no troubles,” replied Thord. To this the priest said nothing, but after a while he asked: “What is your pleasure this evening?”

“I have come this evening about that son of mine who is to be confirmed to-morrow.”

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The Father

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Banns: the official announcement of a marriage

“He is a bright boy.”“I did not wish to pay the priest until I heard

what number the boy would have when he takes his place in the church to-morrow.”

“He will stand number one.”“So I have heard; and here are ten dollars for

the priest.”“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

inquired the priest, fixing his eyes on Thord.“There is nothing else.”Thord went out.

III

Eight years more rolled by, and then one day a noise was heard outside of the priest’s study, for many men were approaching, and at their head was Thord, who entered first.

The priest looked up and recognized him.“You come well attended this evening, Thord,”

said he.“I am here to request that the banns may be

published for my son: he is about to marry Karen Storliden, daughter of Gudmund, who stands here beside me.”

“Why, that is the richest girl in the parish.”“So they say,” replied the peasant, stroking

back his hair with one hand.The priest sat a while as if in deep thought,

then entered the names in his book, without making any comments, and the men wrote their signatures underneath. Thord laid three dollars on the table.“One is all I am to have,” said the priest.“I know that very well; but he is my only child; I want to do it handsomely.” The priest took the money.“This is now the third time, Thord, that you have come here on your son’s account.”

“But now I am through with him,” said Thord, and folding up his pocket-book he said farewell and walked away.

The men slowly followed him.

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Reading Literature: Level 10

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Fortnight: a period of 14 days

Thwart: a crosspiece in a boat that can be used as a seat by a rower

The number three is important in Christian symbolism because of the Trinity (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit); Christ performed three functions while on Earth, namely prophet, priest, and king. He rose from his grave on the third day. In addition, the disciple Peter, fearing for his life, denied three times that he knew Christ. There are many other instances in which three is a number with special significance.

A fortnight later, the father and son were rowing across the lake, one calm, still day, to Storliden to make arrangements for the wedding.

“This thwart is not secure,” said the son, and stood up to straighten the seat on which he was sitting.

At the same moment the board he was standing on slipped from under him; he threw out his arms, uttered a shriek, and fell overboard.

“Take hold of the oar!” shouted the father, springing to his feet, and holding out the oar.

But when the son had made a couple of efforts he grew stiff.

“Wait a moment!” cried the father, and began to row toward his son.

Then the son rolled over on his back, gave his father one long look, and sank.

Thord could scarcely believe it; he held the boat still, and stared at the spot where his son had gone down, as though he must surely come to the surface again. There rose some bubbles, then some more, and finally one large one that burst; and the lake lay there as smooth and bright as a mirror again.

For three days and three nights people saw the father rowing round and round the spot, without taking either food or sleep; he was dragging the lake for the body of his son. And toward morning of the third day he found it, and carried it in his arms up over the hills to his gard.

IV

It might have been about a year from that day, when the priest, late one autumn evening, heard some one in the passage outside of the door, carefully trying to find the latch. The priest opened the door, and in walked a tall, thin man, with bowed form and white hair. The priest looked long at him before he recognized him. It was Thord.

“Are you out walking so late?” said the priest, and stood still in front of him.

“Ah, yes! it is late,” said Thord, and took a seat.

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The priest sat down also, as though waiting. A long, long silence followed. At last Thord said,—

“I have something with me that I should like to give to the poor; I want it to be invested as a legacy in my son’s name.”

He rose, laid some money on the table, and sat down again. The priest counted it.

“It is a great deal of money,” said he.“It is half the price of my gard. I sold it to-day.”The priest sat long in silence. At last he asked,

but gently,—“What do you propose to do now, Thord?”“Something better.”They sat there for a while, Thord with downcast

eyes, the priest with his eyes fixed on Thord. Presently the priest said, slowly and softly,—

“I think your son has at last brought you a true blessing.”

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Reading Literature: Level 10

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QuesTIons And common coRe sTATe sTAndARds

1. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1) What can you logically infer about the protagonist, Thord Överaas, based on the text of part I?

He wants and expects special treatment for himself and his son, Finn. Not only does he request that the boy be baptized in a ceremony just for him, but he is quick to say exactly when it is to take place, indicating that he knew the priest would grant his wishes, most likely because Thord is “the wealthiest and most influential person” in the parish.

2. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1 and .3) In part II, when Thord explains his youthful appearance by saying, “That is because I have no troubles,” the priest remains silent for a while. How do you think the author intended this silence to be interpreted?

Thord seems to be bragging on his good fortune, and the priest is wise enough to know that everyone will eventually experience troubles of some kind, but he is also socially knowledgeable enough not to criticize or try to advise anyone who does not request such input.

3. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4) Soon afterward, Thord says, “I did not wish to pay the priest until I heard what number the boy would have when he takes his place in church tomorrow” (for his Christian confirmation). After the priest says that Finn will be the first in line, Thord pays him ten dollars. What are the connotations of this exchange?

Again, Thord wants special attention and honor for his son, and he is willing to pay for it, which seems to be a form of bribery. He seems to think he can push others around and buy his way through life.

4. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1) Part III shows the main character asking for a third favor from the priest. This time, Thord wants the church to publish the “banns” (the announcement of a marriage) for his son and “the richest girl in the parish,” as the priest refers to her. Thord agrees that she is and arrogantly smooths his hair back with his hand. Then the priest is silent again, this time “as if in deep thought.” What can you infer from what the priest does not say?

Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, so the priest may have been tempted to offer to meet with Thord in private in order to counsel him, but again the priest humbly remains quiet as he writes the names in his church record.

The Father

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5. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.5) Although the customary price of the priest’s publishing of the banns is only a dollar, Thord gives him three, saying that Finn “is my only child, and I want to do it handsomely.” The priest then notes that Thord has come to see him three times on his son’s behalf. This visit also occurs in part III, which ends with Thord searching “three days and three nights” for his son’s body. On “the third day he found it.” What effect does this heavily symbolic structure have on the story?

In 1860, when the short story was published, Norway was a staunchly Christian nation, so Bjørnson’s readers would have understood the importance and felt the deep resonance of his use of the number three. Throughout the first three parts of the story, Thord is prideful and visits the priest only to ask for favors, never confessing his sins and never even acknowledging the priest’s role in religion. Therefore, many readers at the time may have interpreted the death of Thord’s son as some kind of divine punishment or retribution. In this sense, the story resembles a parable, especially when one considers Thord’s eventual epiphany and the change in him as seen in part IV.

6. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4) Near the end, after the priest finally recognizes the “tall, thin man, with bowed form and white hair” as Thord, the priest asks if he is “working so late.” Thord replies, “Ah, yes! It is late.” In this situation, what are the connotations of Thord’s words, and how do they impact the meaning and tone?

He has recognized his sins and the importance of the church too late in his life, only after he has suffered a tragedy, so he has not had the benefits he might have had otherwise (in the Christian belief system). However, he is in the process of trying to make up for his past, so the tone of part IV includes both desperation and relief.

7. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1) When Thord sits down, the priest is completely quiet, and his silence lasts a long time. What can be logically inferred from his silence this time?

The priest knows that Thord has had a change of heart and has something important to say, so he respects him and allows him enough time to gather his thoughts, form his own words, and then speak when he is ready to.

8. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2) Based on the priest’s final words to Thord and the man’s agreement with them, determine the main theme of the short story. Then decide on a subtheme and show how the two interact and build on one another to add complexity to what is, on the surface, a very simple folktale.

Answers will vary. The central theme, according to the ending, is apparently the importance of religion in one’s life and how it is necessary, or at least helpful, for one to become a humble servant of a higher power and a generous part of one’s community. A secondary theme is the relative lack of importance that money has in one’s life, compared to the love for one’s family and neighbors. These themes are often interrelated

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because Thord usually pays the priest to do him favors, rather than developing a genuine relationship between himself and the priest (and by extension the Church) or between himself and his son for that matter.

Another theme could be that people do not understand themselves very well, in the sense that Thord is his enemy without realizing it. After he asks for and receives three favors for his son, he says to the priest, “But now I am through with him,” indicating that Thord believes he has done his most important duties as a father by means of his wealth and social influence. Soon afterward, of course, his son dies, and the impact on Thord is huge and life-changing.

9. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4) What significance, multiple meanings, and connotations can you derive from the title of the story?

“The Father” could refer to the priest, to Thord, or to the vital importance of fathers, especially since Thord names his son Finn after his own father. At the end, we can see that Thord has taken a long time to understand the impact of his greed and pride on his relationship, or lack thereof, with his son, his community, and his religion. Ironically, the death of his son causes him to comprehend fully what being a father means and to get in touch with his true emotional and social needs. “The Father” could also refer to God, who, according to Christian beliefs, offers love and guidance.