Born in Norway and initially dismissed as intellectually lacking by his family, O. E. Rölvaag defied expectations, becoming a significant literary figure in both European and American contexts. His journey from an obscure fishing village to an influential voice in literature is as compelling as the pioneering tales he penned. Rölvaag's major work, Giants in the Earth, interweaves his Norwegian heritage with American pioneering spirit, creating a narrative that explores the psychological depths and tragedies of immigrant life.

Early Life and Education

O. E. Rölvaag's early years in Norway were marked by limited formal education and a bleak outlook for his future. Despite being considered too "stupid to learn," his voracious reading opened his mind to possibilities beyond his immediate environment. At fourteen, he left school to join the Lofoten fishing fleet, facing a future he found confining and unsatisfactory. His life took a pivotal turn when he rejected an offer to own a fishing boat, choosing instead to emigrate to America, thereby trading a life on the sea for new opportunities on land.

In America, Rölvaag started anew on his uncle’s South Dakota farm. At twenty-three, he tentatively entered a preparatory school in Canton, South Dakota. His academic journey culminated in a cum laude graduation from St. Olaf College, followed by postgraduate studies in Oslo. He later returned to St. Olaf as a professor of Norwegian literature, a position he held throughout his life.

Literary Career and Themes

By the time Rölvaag began writing Giants in the Earth, he had completed five novels, four of which were published in Norwegian for the Midwestern immigrant community. His works, deeply rooted in Norwegian settlement life, uniquely blended European artistic sensibilities with American themes. Giants in the Earth is an English translation of two earlier novels, translated with Lincoln Colcord, that delves into the psychology of Norwegian settlers rather than their adventures, marked by a Nordic strain of pessimism.

The novel focuses on Per Hansa and Beret, embodying contrasting psychological responses to the pioneer experience. Per Hansa thrives on the challenges of frontier life, his struggles fueling his dreams of prosperity and a new beginning. In stark contrast, Beret experiences deep anxiety and moral dislocation, perceiving their new life as a regression into savagery. Her internal turmoil is exacerbated by her past, believing herself to be deserving of divine punishment, which she anticipates with mounting dread.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, Giants in the Earth received enthusiastic acclaim. Critics like Carl Sandburg from the Chicago Daily News lauded its "terrible and panoramic" narrative, while Walter Vogdes from The Nation praised Rölvaag’s adherence to "facts and truth." Lincoln Colcord highlighted the novel’s dual character as both European in artistry and American in its subject matter, calling it unique.

Renowned historian Henry Commager considered the novel a "milestone in American literature," while scholar Julius E. Olson noted its success in Norway as a testament to its authenticity. Praises were also directed towards Rölvaag’s ethnic sensitivity, with Clifton P. Fadiman describing it as "delicate as a seismograph."

Enduring Influence and Literary Analysis

The literary depth of Giants in the Earth is often attributed to influences such as Lutheranism and the works of Henrik Ibsen and Søren Kierkegaard. Critics recognize the portrayal of Per Hansa's robust conscience as reminiscent of Viking virtues frequently depicted by Ibsen. The novel also draws on narratives from Old Norse sagas and Norwegian fairy tales, invoking themes like those found in the Norse tale of Askeladd.

Joseph E. Baker described Rölvaag’s respect for humanity as comparable to Homer’s, labeling the novel "a modern epic of Western man." The...