Hans Andrias Djurhuus: Alvaleikur. Analyse af udvalgte emner med henblik pá litteraturhistorisk bestemmelse: An analysis of Alvaleikur by Hans Andrias Djurhuus with an overview of Faroese romantic literature

Abstract

The article analyses the play, Álvaleikur, written by the Faroese poet and author, Hans Andrias Djurhuus, and also presents a short review of romanticism in Faroese literature.

Alvaleikur is a fairy tale play that takes place on two levels: people act in a "play" written by the elves without knowing that they are being "directed" by the elves. The play sets two worlds against one another: one representing harmony with the universe, the other alienating materialism. The article chiefly discusses the constellation of characters and their defining qualities. The play is deemed to be consistent with or represent a "world-consciousness" perspective, as articulated by Age Henriksen.

Essentially, Faroese romanticism covers a period dating from the early 19th century until the Second World War. Compared to European romanticism, Alvaleikur (1930) is a fairly late work. One must bear in mind, however, that the economic reality within the Faroese community during the 20lh century ranged from the primitive agrarianism of the Middle Ages to complex
industrialism. It is, therefore, no wonder that Faroese literary currents such as romanticism, realism, naturalism, and modernism could be found side by side.