Abstract
The book is based on a PhD thesis about the works by the Faroese author, pastor and translator K.O. Viderø (1900-1991). Theories of genre are used as “explanatory tools” (Rosmarin 1985). The writings of Viderø are divided into personal works, historical works and religious works. The personal works are further divided into: literary travel writings and personal poetical works. Although they do not fully correspond to the criteria of Philippe Lejeune with regard to the definition of autobiography (Lejeune 1975), the travel writings are defined as personal works (“littérature intime”) with Viderø as author, narrator and main character in one.
The Vitalism movement which influenced literature and art in the 1900-1945-period is reflected in the works, for instance in the contrast between the past and the present, the urban and the rural, pride and humility, content and discontent. But Viderø represents a Christian Vitalism. He presents a Christian view of life and in parts finds succor in his childhood faith. At the same time, he reveals the narrative as cyclical, and the world as a mill that grinds eternally. He uses the ideas of others in an eclectic fashion. The constant reference to the image of the mill in “Grottasǫngr” from The Poetic Edda correlates with Vitalism, wherein the core meaning of life is life itself – an endless creation and destruction. However, Viderø sees an eternal truth and a God who is instrumental in all change.
A characteristic in the works are the many references to other texts, different transformations and examples of transtextuality, particularly hypertextuality and intertextuality (Genette 1997). Overall, Viderø exhibits a retrospective tendency and is interested in cultural and religious origins. In “Ferð mín til Damaskusar” (1997), he writes using the overtones of a sermon; “Ferð mín til Jorsala” (1957) is written as a pilgrimage, though it is not really one; Á Suðurlandið” (1990) reads like a “Bildungsroman” and "Frá landi á fyrsta sinni" (1991) is a travel account that breaks into poems and fragmented stories. In subject matter, "Ferð mín til Damaskusar" is an exception as Viderø towards the end concludes that he has found a role for himself, a place to be, and he refers to the church tower of the Hvalvík church as a star that leads the way. "Ferð mín til Damaskusar" is the only example of travel writing written by Viderø, which has a happy homecoming. The title of the book indicates that Viderø relies on the description in the Acts of the Apostles, where Paul on his way to Damascus experiences an epiphany and becomes a missionary. In an untraditional way in a very special variant of the genre literary travel writings, Viderø delivers a traditional answer to the alienation of the modern world.
The Vitalism movement which influenced literature and art in the 1900-1945-period is reflected in the works, for instance in the contrast between the past and the present, the urban and the rural, pride and humility, content and discontent. But Viderø represents a Christian Vitalism. He presents a Christian view of life and in parts finds succor in his childhood faith. At the same time, he reveals the narrative as cyclical, and the world as a mill that grinds eternally. He uses the ideas of others in an eclectic fashion. The constant reference to the image of the mill in “Grottasǫngr” from The Poetic Edda correlates with Vitalism, wherein the core meaning of life is life itself – an endless creation and destruction. However, Viderø sees an eternal truth and a God who is instrumental in all change.
A characteristic in the works are the many references to other texts, different transformations and examples of transtextuality, particularly hypertextuality and intertextuality (Genette 1997). Overall, Viderø exhibits a retrospective tendency and is interested in cultural and religious origins. In “Ferð mín til Damaskusar” (1997), he writes using the overtones of a sermon; “Ferð mín til Jorsala” (1957) is written as a pilgrimage, though it is not really one; Á Suðurlandið” (1990) reads like a “Bildungsroman” and "Frá landi á fyrsta sinni" (1991) is a travel account that breaks into poems and fragmented stories. In subject matter, "Ferð mín til Damaskusar" is an exception as Viderø towards the end concludes that he has found a role for himself, a place to be, and he refers to the church tower of the Hvalvík church as a star that leads the way. "Ferð mín til Damaskusar" is the only example of travel writing written by Viderø, which has a happy homecoming. The title of the book indicates that Viderø relies on the description in the Acts of the Apostles, where Paul on his way to Damascus experiences an epiphany and becomes a missionary. In an untraditional way in a very special variant of the genre literary travel writings, Viderø delivers a traditional answer to the alienation of the modern world.
Translated title of the contribution | The long way home: Kristian Osvald Viderø’s Travel Writings within the Frameworks of Literary Theories of Genre and Literary History |
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Original language | Faroese |
Place of Publication | Tórshavn |
Publisher | Fróðskapur |
Number of pages | 295 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-99918-65-72-0 |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2015 |
Publication series
Name | Annales Societatis Scientiarum Færoensis |
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Publisher | Fróðskapur/Faroe University Press |
Volume | 63 |
Keywords
- Travel Writing
- Theory of Genre
- Vitalism