Summary
In "Growth of the Soil," Isak embarks on a journey from a small Norwegian village into untamed lands to establish a homestead. With only minimal supplies, he ventures forth until he discovers a promising area of grassland and woodland, complete with a stream for water. Here, he begins the arduous task of clearing land, constructing a primitive sod house, acquiring goats, and preparing for the harsh winter months.
Seeking Companionship and Help
Isak realizes he needs assistance, particularly a woman's help in managing the farm work. Through traveling Lapps, he sends out a request, and soon Inger arrives. Despite her cleft lip and lack of conventional beauty, she proves to be a diligent worker and shares Isak's life and bed. Inger brings her own belongings and even a cow, enriching the fledgling homestead.
Building a Family and Facing Challenges
That first winter, Inger gives birth to their son, Eleseus, a robust child without any physical deformities. As spring arrives, a relative of Inger named Oline visits the family. She promises to help with the farm chores in the fall, when Isak and Inger plan to travel to town for their marriage ceremony and the baby's baptism. The summer sees the farm flourishing, though the harvest is modest, with potatoes sustaining the family through winter.
Encounters with Authorities and Tragedy
Inger gives birth to a second son, Sivert, as Isak is informed by a sheriff's officer named Geissler that he must pay for the land he's settled. Although Geissler assures Isak that the terms will be manageable, he is soon replaced by a new officer, Brede Olsen, who also pledges assistance. Meanwhile, Inger faces a personal tragedy: while Isak is away, she gives birth to a girl with a cleft lip. Fearing the child's future suffering, Inger makes a drastic decision to end her daughter's life and hides the body.
Consequences and Isolation
Oline, who was aware of Inger's pregnancy, discovers the grave in the woods. Inger confesses her actions to Isak, who accepts her explanation. However, when rumors of the buried child reach the authorities, an investigation ensues. Following a trial, Inger is sentenced to eight years in prison at Bergen, leaving Isak to hire Oline to assist with the farm and children.
Changes and New Beginnings
Isak obtains the deed to his land and pays the initial fee, but without Inger, farming loses its joy. Geissler visits and reveals that Inger has had another child in prison, a girl with no defects. Meanwhile, as the area evolves, telegraph lines are installed, and new settlers, including Brede with his new farm, move in. Oline becomes a troublesome presence, stealing and mismanaging Isak's resources. Geissler speculates on mining opportunities and purchases some of Isak's land. With Geissler's support, Inger, who has undergone surgery for her cleft lip, is released early from prison. She returns to the farm with their daughter Leopoldine but struggles to adjust back to rural life.
A Changing Landscape
Inger, now disenchanted with farm life, contributes little to its upkeep. Eleseus is sent to town for work, leaving Sivert, who shares his father's spirit, at home. Axel Ström establishes a neighboring farm and is joined by Brede's daughter, Barbro, who comes to assist him. Inger and Isak welcome another daughter, Rebecca, and hire more help for household chores. Eleseus briefly returns to lend a hand but is drawn back to the city when he learns of Barbro's pregnancy. Axel purchases Brede's farm after Brede leaves, and later finds Barbro by the brook with a drowned infant, who explains it as an accident. Axel, fearful of losing her, does...
(This entire section contains 849 words.)
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Struggles and Survival
With Barbro gone to Bergen, Axel struggles alone until he is trapped under a fallen tree during a snowstorm. Brede, harboring resentment, passes by without assisting, but Oline hears Axel's cries and rescues him. She stays on to manage his household, constantly reminding him of his indebtedness to her. Oline gradually uncovers Barbro's secret about the baby.
Economic Shifts and Community Dynamics
Aronsen opens a large store in the evolving community, and miners trickle in to work lands bought from Geissler and Isak. However, the mine runs out of resources, and Geissler, owning crucial land, demands a price too high for mine operators, leaving it inactive. When the rumor about Barbro surfaces, Axel and Barbro face trial, but with scant evidence, Axel is acquitted. Barbro finds work with the sheriff’s officer's wife, who vows to supervise her closely.
Resilience in the Face of Change
The mine shows little promise of revival, as Geissler refuses to lower his asking price. Aronsen sells his store to Isak, prompting Eleseus to return once more to manage it, but his efforts falter, and he ultimately departs for America, never to return. Sivert and others transfer store goods to the defunct mine, encountering Geissler, who contemplates reacquisition. As they return, Isak continues sowing corn, undeterred by the rise and fall of industries. For him and Inger, the original settlers, the soil remains a constant, and their efforts yield growth amidst the ever-changing world around them.
