The engagement surprised many; since Nansen had previously expressed himself forcefully against the institution of marriage, Otto Sverdrup assumed he had read the message wrongly.
Pertunangan tersebut mengejutkan beberapa orang; karena sebelumnya Nansen mengekspresikan dirinya sendiri sangat menentang lembaga pernikahan, Otto Sverdrup beranggapan bahwa ia telah salah membaca pesannya.