Background
In ''The Home'', Fredrika Bremer for the first time shows herself as the champion of the emancipation of women and their advancement. For years afterward, and especially after her return from a visit to America, it became Bremer's aim in life to deliver also the Swedish woman from the restrictions in her social position. Long before Bremer wrote ''The Home'', the social conditions which confined woman's activities within very narrow limits and left her helpless, unless she was “happily” married, had aroused the author's indignation. Her bitterness increased when Göta Superior Court opposed the proposition that women, at the age of 25, should have the legal right to manage their own affairs. Through the study of the writings of Harriet Martineau, Bremer had become convinced that reform by law was necessary.Characters and themes
The chief character in ''The Home'' is Elisa Frank and her relations to her husband, Judge Frank, and her children form the main theme. Fredrika and her own sisters served as models for the daughters whose characters are convincingly described. Petrea, “ready to give away indiscriminately the presents which had been given to her,” is the author herself. Tenderness is shown in the description of the death of Henrik (her brother August), while her humor is at its best where Petrea and Jeremiah are described.Evaluation
''The Home'', though not as absorbing as ''Grannarna'', which was translated into many languages and made Bremer famous, it is more true to life. Though the plan of construction of ''The Home'' shows a certain weakness, the characters are drawn with superior skill.Notes
References
* 1839 in Sweden 1839 novels 19th-century Swedish novels Swedish-language novels Feminist novels {{poli-novel-stub