The greatest Scandinavians' work shows opposing strains of lyricism and naturalism. Ibsen outlined puritan spareness and metaphysical immensity in ''Brand'' and invented the elfin and fantastical Peer Gynt. Iceland grips Mr. Laxness. Northern open lands beyond tree line, over which vast skies change, inspire scenes of metaphysical simplicity. The slowly changing lights at dawn and dusk suggest eternity, and midsummer nights invite dreams.
Protestant rigor lies thin over pagan dread.
On the other hand, the cruel soils of high latitudes require backbreaking labor. The injustice of hard-working poverty provokes writers to analyze or rage. Nature is both ruinous and fabulous, and people love both temporal justice and spiritual beauty. Then the century becomes antagonistic. And in fact the book's fierce social critique wields real power, although it is extrinsic to the simple tale's beauty, sympathy and depth.