Pär Fabian Lagerkvist (23 May 1891 – 11 July 1974) was a Swedish author who received the
1951 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Lagerkvist wrote poetry, plays, novels, short stories, and essays of considerable expressive power and influence from his early 20s to his late 70s. One of his central themes was the fundamental question of good and evil, which he examined through such figures as
Barabbas
According to the New Testament, Barabbas () was a Jewish bandit and rabble-rouser who was imprisoned by the Judaea (Roman province), Roman occupation in Jerusalem, only to be chosen over Jesus by a crowd to be pardoned by Roman governor Pontius ...
, the man who was freed instead of Jesus, and
Ahasuerus
Ahasuerus ( ; , commonly ''Achashverosh''; , in the Septuagint; in the Vulgate) is a name applied in the Hebrew Bible to three rulers of Ancient Persia and to a Babylonian official (or Median king) first appearing in the Tanakh in the Book of ...
, the
Wandering Jew. As a moralist, he used religious motifs and figures from the
Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
tradition without following the doctrines of a
church
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...
.
Biography and works
Lagerkvist was born in
Växjö
Växjö () is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden. It had 71,282 inhabitants (2020) out of a Municipalities of Sweden, municipal population of 97,349 (2024). It is the administrative, cultural, and industrial ce ...
(
Småland
Småland () is a historical Provinces of Sweden, province () in southern Sweden.
Småland borders Blekinge, Scania, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name ''Småland'' literally means "small la ...
). He received a traditional religious education – he would later say, with little exaggeration, that he "had had the good fortune to grow up in a home where the only books known were the Bible and the Book of Hymns". In his teens he broke away from Christian beliefs, but, unlike many other writers and thinkers in his generation, he did not become vehemently critical of religious beliefs as such. Though he was politically a socialist for most of his life, he never indulged in the idea that "religion is the opium of the people". Much of his writing is informed by a lifelong interest in man and his symbols and gods, and in the position of Man (both as individual and mankind) in a world where the Divine is no longer present, no longer speaking.
In his early years Lagerkvist supported modernist and aesthetically radical views, as shown by his manifesto ''Ordkonst och bildkonst'' (''Word Art and Picture Art'', 1913) and the play ''Den Svåra Stunden'' ("The Difficult Hour").
One of the author's earliest works is ''Ångest'' (''Anguish'', 1916), a violent and disillusioned collection of poems. His anguish was derived from his fear of death, the
World War
A world war is an international War, conflict that involves most or all of the world's major powers. Conventionally, the term is reserved for two major international conflicts that occurred during the first half of the 20th century, World War I ...
, and personal crisis. He tried to explore how a person can find a meaningful life in a world where a war can kill millions for very little reason. "Anguish, anguish is my heritage / the wound of my throat / the cry of my heart in the world." ("Anguish", 1916.) "Love is nothing. Anguish is everything / the anguish of living." ("Love is nothing", 1916.) This pessimism, however, slowly faded, as testified by his subsequent works, ''Det eviga leendet'' (''The Eternal Smile'', 1920), the autobiographical novel ''Gäst hos verkligheten'' (''Guest of Reality'', 1925) and the prose monologue ''Det besegrade livet'' (''The defeated Life'', 1927), in which the faith in man is predominant. From ''The Eternal Smile'' on, his style largely abandoned the expressionist pathos and brusque effects of his early works and there was a strong striving for simplicity, classical precision and clean telling, sometimes appearing close to naivism. The content, however, was never truly naive. A Swedish critic remarked that "Lagerkvist and
John the Evangelist
John the Evangelist ( – ) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Gospel of John. Christians have traditionally identified him with John the Apostle, John of Patmos, and John the Presbyter, although there is no consensus on how ...
are two masters at expressing profound things with a highly restricted choice of words".
Ten years after ''Ångest'', Lagerkvist married for the second time, a union which was to provide a pillar of safety in his life until the death of his wife forty years later. ''Hjärtats sånger'' (''Songs of the Heart'') (1926) appeared at this time, bearing witness to his pride and love for his consort. This collection is much less desperate in its tone than ''Ångest'', and established him as one of the foremost Swedish poets of his generation.
His prose
novella
A novella is a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most novelettes and short stories. The English word ''novella'' derives from the Italian meaning a short story related to true (or apparently so) ...
''Bödeln'' ("The Hangman", 1933), later adapted for the stage (''The Hangman'', 1933; play, 1934), shows his growing concern with the
totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political system and a form of government that prohibits opposition from political parties, disregards and outlaws the political claims of individual and group opposition to the state, and completely controls the public s ...
and brutality that began to sweep across Europe in the years prior to World War II.
Nazism
Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During Hitler's rise to power, it was fre ...
was one of the main targets of the work and ''
Der Stürmer'' responded with a very dismissive review. Criticism against
Fascism
Fascism ( ) is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement. It is characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hie ...
is also present in the play ''Mannen utan själ'' (''The Man Without a Soul'', 1936).
In September 1940 Lagerkvist was elected a member of the
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy (), founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. Its 18 members, who are elected for life, comprise the highest Swedish language authority. Outside Scandinavia, it is best known as the body t ...
, succeeding
Verner von Heidenstam on chair 8 in December the same year.
Lagerkvist's 1944 novel ''Dvärgen'' (''
The Dwarf''), a searching, ironic tale about evil, was the first to bring him positive international attention outside of the Nordic countries. The work was followed in 1949 by the unusual, lyrical play ''Låt människan leva'' (''Let Man Live'').
''
Barabbas
According to the New Testament, Barabbas () was a Jewish bandit and rabble-rouser who was imprisoned by the Judaea (Roman province), Roman occupation in Jerusalem, only to be chosen over Jesus by a crowd to be pardoned by Roman governor Pontius ...
'' (1950), which was immediately hailed as a literary masterpiece (by fellow Nobel laureate
André Gide
André Paul Guillaume Gide (; 22 November 1869 – 19 February 1951) was a French writer and author whose writings spanned a wide variety of styles and topics. He was awarded the 1947 Nobel Prize in Literature. Gide's career ranged from his begi ...
, among others) is probably Lagerkvist's most famous work. The novel is based on a
Biblical
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) biblical languages ...
story. Jesus of
Nazareth
Nazareth is the largest Cities in Israel, city in the Northern District (Israel), Northern District of Israel. In its population was . Known as "the Arab capital of Israel", Nazareth serves as a cultural, political, religious, economic and ...
was sentenced to die by the Roman authorities immediately before the Jewish
Passover
Passover, also called Pesach (; ), is a major Jewish holidays, Jewish holiday and one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. It celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Biblical Egypt, Egypt.
According to the Book of Exodus, God in ...
, when it was customary for the Romans to release someone convicted of a capital offense. When the Roman procurator
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate (; ) was the Roman administration of Judaea (AD 6–135), fifth governor of the Judaea (Roman province), Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official wh ...
offers to free either Jesus or Barabbas (a convicted thief and murderer), a Jerusalem mob demands the release of Barabbas, who later watches Jesus as he bears the cross to Golgotha, witnesses the crucifixion, and then spends the rest of his life trying to understand why he was chosen to live rather than Jesus. A
movie
A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...
based upon the novel was filmed in 1961, with
Anthony Quinn
Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001), known as Anthony Quinn, was an American actor. He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental virility" in over 100 ...
playing the title role.
In 1951 Pär Lagerkvist was awarded the
Nobel Prize in Literature
The Nobel Prize in Literature, here meaning ''for'' Literature (), is a Swedish literature prize that is awarded annually, since 1901, to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, "in ...
"for the artistic vigour and true independence of mind with which he endeavours in his poetry to find answers to the eternal questions confronting mankind.". He had first been proposed for the prize in 1947.
Following the publication of ''Barabbas'', Lagerkvist had been one of the favourites to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950.
[Håkan Möller "Pär Lagerkvist, ''Barabbas'' and the Nobel Prize for Literature" Journal of World Literature 1 2016, p.505] In 1951 the Nobel committee for literature received nine nominations for Lagerkvist, including nominations from the French authors and previous laureates
André Gide
André Paul Guillaume Gide (; 22 November 1869 – 19 February 1951) was a French writer and author whose writings spanned a wide variety of styles and topics. He was awarded the 1947 Nobel Prize in Literature. Gide's career ranged from his begi ...
and
Roger Martin du Gard, and the
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy (), founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. Its 18 members, who are elected for life, comprise the highest Swedish language authority. Outside Scandinavia, it is best known as the body t ...
decided to award him the prize.
Lagerkvist died in
Stockholm
Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
in 1974 at the age of 83, his wife having died in 1967.
Works
Short Story Collections
* ''Människor'' (People) (1912)
* ''Två sagor om livet'' (2 Tales of Life) (1913)
* ''Järn och människor'' (Iron and People) (1915)
* ''Det eviga leendet'' (The Eternal Smile) (1920) - 3 stories
* ''Onda sagor'' (Wicked Tales) (1924)
* ''Kämpande ande'' (Fighting Spirit) (1930)
* ''I den tiden'' (In the Terms) (1935)
* ''Bröllopsfesten och andra berättelser'' (The Marriage Feast and Other Stories) (1955 - Chatto & Windus) - 19 stories : 18 stories translated by Alan Blair, and 1 story translated by Carl Eric Lindin.
t is not clear that there was a Swedish version of this particular book.
Novels
* ''Gäst hos verkligheten'' (Guest of Reality) (1925)
* ''Den svåra resan'' (The Difficult Journey) (written c. 1926, published 1985)
* ''Själarnas maskerad'' (The Masquerade of Souls) (1930)
* ''Bödeln'' (The Executioner) (1933)
* ''Dvärgen (
The Dwarf)'' (1944)
* ''
Barabbas
According to the New Testament, Barabbas () was a Jewish bandit and rabble-rouser who was imprisoned by the Judaea (Roman province), Roman occupation in Jerusalem, only to be chosen over Jesus by a crowd to be pardoned by Roman governor Pontius ...
'' (1950, filmed in
1953
Events
January
* January 6 – The Asian Socialist Conference opens in Rangoon, Burma.
* January 12 – Estonian émigrés found a Estonian government-in-exile, government-in-exile in Oslo.
* January 14
** Marshal Josip Broz Tito ...
,
1961
Events January
* January 1 – Monetary reform in the Soviet Union, 1961, Monetary reform in the Soviet Union.
* January 3
** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and cons ...
, and
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
)
* ''Sibyllan'' (The ''Sibyl'') (1956)
* ''Ahasverus död'' (The Death of Ahasuerus) (1960)
* ''Pilgrim på havet'' (Pilgrim on the Sea) (1962)
* ''Det heliga landet'' (The Holy Land) (1964)
* ''Mariamne'' (1967)
Prose and poetry
* ''Ordkonst och bildkonst'' (1913)
* ''Motiv'' (1914)
* ''Ångest'' (1916)
* ''Kaos'' (1919)
* ''Den lyckliges väg'' (1921)
* ''Hjärtats sånger'' (1926)
* ''Det besegrade livet'' (1927)
* ''Vid lägereld'' (1932)
* ''Den knutna näven'' ("The Clenched Fist", 1934)
* ''Genius'' (1937)
* ''Den befriade människan'' (1939)
* ''Sång och strid'' (1940)
* ''Hemmet och stjärnan'' (1942)
* ''Aftonland'' ("Evening Land", 1953)
* ''Antecknat'' (diaries and notes, 1977)
Theatre
* ''Sista mänskan'', play ("The Last Man", 1917)
* ''Den svåra stunden'', three one-act plays ("The Difficult Hour", 1918)
* ''Teater'' (1918)
* ''Himlens hemlighet'', play ("The Secret of Heaven", 1919)
* ''Den osynlige'', play ("The Invisible One", 1923)
* ''Han som fick leva om sitt liv'', play ("The Man Who Lived his Life Over", 1928)
* ''Konungen'', play ("The King", 1932)
* ''Bödeln'', play ("The Hangman", 1933)
* ''Mannen utan själ'', play ("The Man Without a Soul", 1936)
* ''Seger i mörkret'', play ("Victory in the Dark", 1939)
* ''Midsommardröm i fattighuset'', play ("Midsummer's Dream in the Workhouse", 1941)
* ''De vises sten'', play ("The Philosopher's Stone", 1947)
* ''Låt människan leva'', play ("Let Man Live", 1950)
English translations
* "Literary Art and Pictorial Art"
rdkonst och bildkonst Rainbow Press, 1991, .
* "The Dwarf"
värgen Hill and Wang, 1958, .
* "Barabbas", Vintage, 1989, .
* "The Sibyl"
ibyllan Vintage, 1963, .
* "The Death of Ahasuerus"
hasverus död Vintage, 1982, .
* "Evening Land"
ftonland translated by
W. H. Auden and Leif Sjöberg; Wayne State University Press, 1975; Souvenir Press, London, 1977, .
References
* Fulvio Ferrari, introduction to Italian edition of ''Gäst hos verkligheten'' and ''Det eviga leendet'', Oscar Narrativa #1242, Mondadori, Milan, June 1992
* Everett M. Ellestad, "Lagerkvist and Cubism: A Study of Theory and Practice," Scandinavian Studies 45 (1/1973), S. 38–53.
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lagerkvist, Par
1891 births
1974 deaths
People from Växjö
Members of the Swedish Academy
Nobel laureates in Literature
Writers from Kronoberg County
Swedish-language writers
Swedish-language poets
Uppsala University alumni
Swedish Nobel laureates
20th-century Swedish poets
Swedish male novelists
Christian novelists