Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/321

Rh is Christofer Janson, who has written a number of stories, dramas and lyric poems.

The two greatest poets that Norway has produced, and at the same time the two greatest poets now living in all Scandinavia are Björnson and Ibsen. (born 1832) suddenly became very popular by his first novel "Synnöve Solbakken," for it was no less distinguished for its clear insight into the knowledge of the peasant life in Norway than for its remarkably charming and poetical style. This fresh and graceful tale was followed by a number of similar poetical descriptions from the life of the Norwegian peasants "Arne," "En glad Gut," "Fiskerjenten," "Brudeslaatten" and several short stories, all of which possess the same excellences as the book with which this highly gifted author began his literary career, though none of them are equal to Synnöve Solbakken in artistic finish. Already in "The Fishermaiden," Björnson began to describe the life of the middle classes, and his "Magnhild" he moves wholly in the latter sphere, in which he is far less skilful. In his peasant stories—notwithstanding his condensed style, which reminds us of the old sagas—his delineations are remarkably suggestive and characteristic.

As a dramatist Björnson does not rank as high as he does as a novelist, though he has also achieved excellent results in this field. For his dramas he takes his materials partly from the sagas, as in "Sigurd Slembe," and in "Mellem Slagene," partly from modern history, as in "Maria Stuart," and partly from modern life, as in "De Nygifte," "En Fallit " and "Leonarda." In the later years politics, which have prominently engaged his attention, have also colored his dramatic compositions. In his plays "Redaktören" and "Kongen," he has given vent to his political and social ideas,