Back to the Homestead. The Idyll as critical and aesthetic discourse in Swedish Literature.
”Back to the homestead, the idyll as a critical and aesthetic discourse” is a genre study in the field of comparative literature. Highlighting works from different periods the study puts the idyll into a context of Swedish literary history and popular culture, drawing attention to its relevance for contemporary discourses, i.e. ecocriticism. A link between ideology and aesthetics is a defining feature of the idyll. But it is often just the nostalgic and aesthetic dimensions that are given prominence when the genre is discussed, while its utopian and critical potential is overlooked.
The basic assumption of the study is that the idyll has been, and is, used to articulate a far-reaching critique of modernity, by depicting and advocating alternative life styles and ways of organizing society. During the 20th century, the resistance often has been directed to the Swedish welfare state, i.e. ‘folkhemmet’. The alternatives have been set in the countryside.
The study is underpinned by social constructivist and hermeneutical theories. The method is based on critical discourse analysis. Five authors are put to the forefront: Karl-Erik Forsslund (1872-1941). Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973), Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), Bernt Staf (1945-2002) and Clara Lidström (1986-). These authors share a number of basic genre traits, but they also illustrate how the idyll as a disrespected genre has adapted itself to the development of popular media outlets – from the novel to the blog via the LP-record.
Final report
Projekt P17-0349:1
“Back to the Homestead. The idyll as a critical discourse in Swedish literature”.
Ann-Sofi Ljung Svensson, Senior lecturer, Comparative literature, Department of Art and Communication, Malmö university.
OBJECTIVE, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT
The overall aim of the literary research project ”Back to the Homestead. The idyll as a critical discourse in Swedish literature” has been to investigate and highlight the rural idyll as a genre in Swedish literature and popular culture throughout the 20th century and into the beginning of the 21th century. The qualitative research has proceeded from five writers and their works, picked from different key periods: The authors Karl-Erik Forsslund (”Storgården”, 1900), Vilhelm Moberg (”Sänkt sedebetyg”, ”Sömnlös” ”Giv oss jorden” 1935-39), Astrid Lindgren (The Bullerby series, both the books 1947-1952 and the later film- and tv-adaptions), the singer-songwriter Bernt Staf (examples from his whole body of works, starting in the late 1960s) and the blogger/influencer Clara Lidström ("Underbaraclaras.se", 2019). They have all produced works which could be defined as rural idylls. At the same time they and their works represent different phases of cultural production in Sweden, characterized by different media formats and interfaces. The writers engage with their audiences through popular formats changing over time: the book, the newspaper serial, the movie, the LP-record, the blog. One of the basic argument of the project is that while the idyll has been a downgraded genre during the 20th century it has nevertheless flourished in various media formats in popular culture. There it has had, and still has, a considerable impact.
The project’s focal point has been to investigate the idyll’s functions as a socially critical, subversive, genre in a historical context. Through history the idyll as a literary genre has been closely connected to its time. The idyll can be seen as a reactive, utopian genre nourishing a critical view of the existing civilization. A basic question during the research project has therefore been: How are the investigated examples of Swedish rural idylls from the 20th century connected to an historical social reality? And is it possible to discern continuity and changes during the hundred years the investigation encompasses? The ambition has been to give a coherent picture of the issues, changes, political discussions and decisions the represented writers challenge, when they with the utopian idyll as their chosen form, create a contrarian image in opposition to an urban, highly technological large-scale society, and in more or less programmatic terms argue for a rural way of life. For that reason, it has also been crucial to view the selected works from an eco-critical perspective. How do these writers depict man’s relationship to nature? How can literary utopias fit into a discourse which critically examines this relationship? In addition to analyzing specific examples of the idyll as a genre the project also gives a broader background, formulating a coherent overview of the transformations of Swedish rural life and farming during the 20th century. At the same time some of the ”green waves” of our time are highlighted..
The preparatory work for the project was thoroughly done. The set of questions formulated in the application for research funding has not changed. Instead, they have been amplified and deepened. A certain shift has nevertheless taken place in the relationship between different perspectives. It concerns primarily a both theoretical and empirical development within categories as ”time” and ”space”. This relationship is now discussed in a theoretical chapter of its own:” The idyll as a place”. New and highly relevant research on ”spatiality” has played an important part in the development of a deeper understanding of the idyll genre, both historically and in contemporary culture. It’s a field of research which often overlaps with eco-critical research.
PROJECT RESULTS
The main result of the investigation falls into to main categories, one being generalized genre theory, the other empirical findings and conclusions.
The major tool for gaining insights into the rural idyll as a genre and understanding of its position today has been the theoretical concept ”spatiality” and the closely related eco critical perspective. It has become very clear that the perception of ”time” is contrary to the perception of ”place” in the idyll genre. This is an opposition which through history is noticeable also in the world that surrounds the genre’s authors. During modernity, ”time” becomes the guiding category of thought. Progress, development and moving forward are the core concepts. The rural idyll on the other hand, visualize an escape from urban life; a removal from a linear society focused on the future. The idyllic authors stand in opposition to the power time exercise over man. They turn to the ”place” in order to elude ”time”. In contrast to the city, the countryside is portrayed as an ”oasis of tranquility”, ”a space of experience”. The concept of time is more static and circular. The specific qualities of the place are put in the foreground. In this way the idyll depicts a shift which also takes place in today’s society. The environmental problems and the climate crisis force us to question the focus on linear progress with all its consequences, and instead direct our attention towards the physical place, both the specific environment which surrounds us and the planet as a whole.
The empirical research highlights the distinct relationship between the texts included in the project and the periods they originated in. The research is mainly based on a contextualization of the chosen texts. They are all read against the backdrop of the debates of their own time on issues concerning the countryside and agriculture. The text analysis is chiefly built on a parallel reading of official reports of the Swedish government dealing with the state and future of agriculture, published from the 1930s and beyond. The political and cultural debates connected to those reports have also been an important source. Essential reference points are the two government bills on agriculture put forward in 1947 and 1967, which became the foundation for the structural transformation of Swedish agriculture. The emergence of the environmental movement during the 20th century has also been an integral part of the context.
The works of Karl-Erik Forsslund can be understood as a manifestation of a general criticism of modernity around the turn of the century 1900. It was, among other things, characterized by a wish to recreate an old peasant culture, albeit in a modified form. Being a dedicated opponent to expanding industrial production Forsslund made a case for traditional handicraft. The intense debate about an accelerating depopulation of the countryside was one of the starting points for the novels Vilhelm Moberg wrote during the 1930s. He was not only describing the problems, the novels also contained suggestions for what ought to be done in order to motivate the young to stay in their rural environment. Astrid Lindgren’s three books about the children of Bullerbyn were not set in the period of their origin, but could nevertheless be read within the framework of an urban and modern vision, the Swedish ”folkhem”. An interesting and relevant background would be the city planning concept ”grannskapsenheter”(Neighborhood units), frequently discussed at the end of the 40s. Bernt Staf is a representative of the social criticism which in the 70s was directed against the large scale housing projects known as ”miljonprogrammet” in Sweden. This criticism was embraced and articulated by the radical left and the so-called progressive music movement. Staf is also a proponent of the ”green wave” which emerged as a reaction against the Swedish parliaments decision in 1967 to implement far reaching rationalizations in the agricultural sector. Clara Lidström is a contemporary author. In that respect typical of our times, she blends the private and the public. Through interiors from her own family life in combination with criticism against an increasingly rationalized and commercialized society, she puts forward an alternative way of life built on autonomy, handicraft and recycling. Her blog shows her participating in an ongoing social debate, not least about environmental and climate related issues.
DISSEMINATION OF THE PROJECT
The primary vehicle for dissemination of the project’s results is a monograph. It still isn’t completed and published. But the project is ongoing and publication is the goal. During the period covered by the funding a scientific peer reviewed article has been published in Tidskrift för litteraturvetenskap. Two more articles are due to be published: a scientific article in the journal Aiolos and a peer reviewed article in an anthology on literary sociology, published by Uppsala university. The project has also resulted in an exhibition at Forskarnas galleri at the university library in Malmö.
The main scientific dissemination has hitherto taken place during conferences, and seminars as well as through informal cooperation. During the funded period five conference presentations has been held. One could also mention a project related presentation held shortly before this period (Sweden, USA, Norway, Denmark). In addition the project has been introduced and discussed at seminars at the university of Malmö and the university of Gothenburg, including ”Ekogruppen” at the latter university. One should also add participation on two occasions in the seminar series ”Hela Sverige gestaltas – i litteraturen”, organized by the Jonsered seminar at Gothenburgs university.
A dissemination to society at large has also taken place in different ways. Four popular science lectures has been held at lecture/literary societies. Other off-shoots has been a couple panel talks in Malmö and Lund and participaton in two radioprograms produced by SR (Swedish Radio): Filosofiska rummet and Bildningsbyrån. A ”Bildningsquiz” focused on climate literature and published in the newspaper Sydsvenskan in cooperation with Malmö University belongs to this list of activities generated within the framework of the project. The same applies for six research related cultural articles has been published in Sydsvenskan as well as one in Dagens Nyheter.
“Back to the Homestead. The idyll as a critical discourse in Swedish literature”.
Ann-Sofi Ljung Svensson, Senior lecturer, Comparative literature, Department of Art and Communication, Malmö university.
OBJECTIVE, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT
The overall aim of the literary research project ”Back to the Homestead. The idyll as a critical discourse in Swedish literature” has been to investigate and highlight the rural idyll as a genre in Swedish literature and popular culture throughout the 20th century and into the beginning of the 21th century. The qualitative research has proceeded from five writers and their works, picked from different key periods: The authors Karl-Erik Forsslund (”Storgården”, 1900), Vilhelm Moberg (”Sänkt sedebetyg”, ”Sömnlös” ”Giv oss jorden” 1935-39), Astrid Lindgren (The Bullerby series, both the books 1947-1952 and the later film- and tv-adaptions), the singer-songwriter Bernt Staf (examples from his whole body of works, starting in the late 1960s) and the blogger/influencer Clara Lidström ("Underbaraclaras.se", 2019). They have all produced works which could be defined as rural idylls. At the same time they and their works represent different phases of cultural production in Sweden, characterized by different media formats and interfaces. The writers engage with their audiences through popular formats changing over time: the book, the newspaper serial, the movie, the LP-record, the blog. One of the basic argument of the project is that while the idyll has been a downgraded genre during the 20th century it has nevertheless flourished in various media formats in popular culture. There it has had, and still has, a considerable impact.
The project’s focal point has been to investigate the idyll’s functions as a socially critical, subversive, genre in a historical context. Through history the idyll as a literary genre has been closely connected to its time. The idyll can be seen as a reactive, utopian genre nourishing a critical view of the existing civilization. A basic question during the research project has therefore been: How are the investigated examples of Swedish rural idylls from the 20th century connected to an historical social reality? And is it possible to discern continuity and changes during the hundred years the investigation encompasses? The ambition has been to give a coherent picture of the issues, changes, political discussions and decisions the represented writers challenge, when they with the utopian idyll as their chosen form, create a contrarian image in opposition to an urban, highly technological large-scale society, and in more or less programmatic terms argue for a rural way of life. For that reason, it has also been crucial to view the selected works from an eco-critical perspective. How do these writers depict man’s relationship to nature? How can literary utopias fit into a discourse which critically examines this relationship? In addition to analyzing specific examples of the idyll as a genre the project also gives a broader background, formulating a coherent overview of the transformations of Swedish rural life and farming during the 20th century. At the same time some of the ”green waves” of our time are highlighted..
The preparatory work for the project was thoroughly done. The set of questions formulated in the application for research funding has not changed. Instead, they have been amplified and deepened. A certain shift has nevertheless taken place in the relationship between different perspectives. It concerns primarily a both theoretical and empirical development within categories as ”time” and ”space”. This relationship is now discussed in a theoretical chapter of its own:” The idyll as a place”. New and highly relevant research on ”spatiality” has played an important part in the development of a deeper understanding of the idyll genre, both historically and in contemporary culture. It’s a field of research which often overlaps with eco-critical research.
PROJECT RESULTS
The main result of the investigation falls into to main categories, one being generalized genre theory, the other empirical findings and conclusions.
The major tool for gaining insights into the rural idyll as a genre and understanding of its position today has been the theoretical concept ”spatiality” and the closely related eco critical perspective. It has become very clear that the perception of ”time” is contrary to the perception of ”place” in the idyll genre. This is an opposition which through history is noticeable also in the world that surrounds the genre’s authors. During modernity, ”time” becomes the guiding category of thought. Progress, development and moving forward are the core concepts. The rural idyll on the other hand, visualize an escape from urban life; a removal from a linear society focused on the future. The idyllic authors stand in opposition to the power time exercise over man. They turn to the ”place” in order to elude ”time”. In contrast to the city, the countryside is portrayed as an ”oasis of tranquility”, ”a space of experience”. The concept of time is more static and circular. The specific qualities of the place are put in the foreground. In this way the idyll depicts a shift which also takes place in today’s society. The environmental problems and the climate crisis force us to question the focus on linear progress with all its consequences, and instead direct our attention towards the physical place, both the specific environment which surrounds us and the planet as a whole.
The empirical research highlights the distinct relationship between the texts included in the project and the periods they originated in. The research is mainly based on a contextualization of the chosen texts. They are all read against the backdrop of the debates of their own time on issues concerning the countryside and agriculture. The text analysis is chiefly built on a parallel reading of official reports of the Swedish government dealing with the state and future of agriculture, published from the 1930s and beyond. The political and cultural debates connected to those reports have also been an important source. Essential reference points are the two government bills on agriculture put forward in 1947 and 1967, which became the foundation for the structural transformation of Swedish agriculture. The emergence of the environmental movement during the 20th century has also been an integral part of the context.
The works of Karl-Erik Forsslund can be understood as a manifestation of a general criticism of modernity around the turn of the century 1900. It was, among other things, characterized by a wish to recreate an old peasant culture, albeit in a modified form. Being a dedicated opponent to expanding industrial production Forsslund made a case for traditional handicraft. The intense debate about an accelerating depopulation of the countryside was one of the starting points for the novels Vilhelm Moberg wrote during the 1930s. He was not only describing the problems, the novels also contained suggestions for what ought to be done in order to motivate the young to stay in their rural environment. Astrid Lindgren’s three books about the children of Bullerbyn were not set in the period of their origin, but could nevertheless be read within the framework of an urban and modern vision, the Swedish ”folkhem”. An interesting and relevant background would be the city planning concept ”grannskapsenheter”(Neighborhood units), frequently discussed at the end of the 40s. Bernt Staf is a representative of the social criticism which in the 70s was directed against the large scale housing projects known as ”miljonprogrammet” in Sweden. This criticism was embraced and articulated by the radical left and the so-called progressive music movement. Staf is also a proponent of the ”green wave” which emerged as a reaction against the Swedish parliaments decision in 1967 to implement far reaching rationalizations in the agricultural sector. Clara Lidström is a contemporary author. In that respect typical of our times, she blends the private and the public. Through interiors from her own family life in combination with criticism against an increasingly rationalized and commercialized society, she puts forward an alternative way of life built on autonomy, handicraft and recycling. Her blog shows her participating in an ongoing social debate, not least about environmental and climate related issues.
DISSEMINATION OF THE PROJECT
The primary vehicle for dissemination of the project’s results is a monograph. It still isn’t completed and published. But the project is ongoing and publication is the goal. During the period covered by the funding a scientific peer reviewed article has been published in Tidskrift för litteraturvetenskap. Two more articles are due to be published: a scientific article in the journal Aiolos and a peer reviewed article in an anthology on literary sociology, published by Uppsala university. The project has also resulted in an exhibition at Forskarnas galleri at the university library in Malmö.
The main scientific dissemination has hitherto taken place during conferences, and seminars as well as through informal cooperation. During the funded period five conference presentations has been held. One could also mention a project related presentation held shortly before this period (Sweden, USA, Norway, Denmark). In addition the project has been introduced and discussed at seminars at the university of Malmö and the university of Gothenburg, including ”Ekogruppen” at the latter university. One should also add participation on two occasions in the seminar series ”Hela Sverige gestaltas – i litteraturen”, organized by the Jonsered seminar at Gothenburgs university.
A dissemination to society at large has also taken place in different ways. Four popular science lectures has been held at lecture/literary societies. Other off-shoots has been a couple panel talks in Malmö and Lund and participaton in two radioprograms produced by SR (Swedish Radio): Filosofiska rummet and Bildningsbyrån. A ”Bildningsquiz” focused on climate literature and published in the newspaper Sydsvenskan in cooperation with Malmö University belongs to this list of activities generated within the framework of the project. The same applies for six research related cultural articles has been published in Sydsvenskan as well as one in Dagens Nyheter.