The Wreath (1920) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Characters edit see section history

• Kristin Lavransdatter: The daughter of a landowning Norwegian farmer.
• Lavrans Bjørgulfssøn: Kristin's father, owner of Jørundgaard farm.
• Erlend Nikulaussøn: A knight in the service of the king; owner of Husaby farm.

Quotes edit see section history

• “Far out in the darkness a band of white mist floated above the murmur of the river. The mountains stood around coal-black against the star-sprinkled sky.”

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• “It’s good when you don’t dare do something that doesn’t seem right,” said Fru Aashild with a little laugh. “But it’s not so good if you think something isn’t right because you don’t dare do it.”

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• lingering at the table in the evening, carrying on useless conversation. But you do not look as if you were that kind. Yet you can learn a great deal from this year that will benefit you both here and in that other home.”

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• But I didn’t realize then that the consequence of sin is that you have to trample on other

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• she did not love God and His Mother and the saints in that way. She would never love them in that way. She loved the world and longed for the world.

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Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Gudbrandsdal: A valley in central Norway.
• Jørundgaard: A farm in the Gudbrandsdal valley, owned by Lavrans.
• Nidaros: Also called Trondheim; a coastal city in central Norway. Also refers to Nidaros cathedral.

Organizations edit see section history

• Birchlegs: (Norwegian birkebeiner) A political group consisting of the supporters of Sverre during the conflict over the rightful successor to the throne. They were named the "Birchlegs" because at one point they were so poor and desperate that they sometimes literally wore birch bark to cover their legs.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• Wreath: A wreath in this context is a crown of foliage. The wreath of the elf-maiden at the beginning of the story is symbolic of the wild; the wreath of the nunnery, a symbol of piety; and the wreath of the virgin, a symbol of maidenhood. A wreath of God symbolizes belonging to God alone; that is, entering a convent. The bridal crown Kristin wears to her wedding bed is symbolic of marriage and the bride's giving of her maidenhood to her husband. In medieval times, the symbolic object most associated with the bride was the wreath. Denoting triumph and festivity, it was also linked with her virginity. The bride would present the groom with a wreath; during the procession to the church she wore her hair loose or uncovered, save for the bridal wreath or crown. Her peer group of unmarried women distributed wreaths to all the guests.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by The Wife.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Sigrid Undset (Author)

Other Contributors:

1. Tiina Nunnally (Translator)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Nobel Prize (1928: Literature)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 839.82372

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › Mythology › Sagas
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Historical
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Family Saga
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Classics
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Classics

Movie Connections edit see section history

• Kristin Lavransdatter (IMDb): (1995) Movie version of the first part of Undset's trilogy.