Seven Brothers
Encyclopedia
Seven Brothers is the first and only novel by Aleksis Kivi
, the national author of Finland
, and it is widely regarded as the first significant novel written in Finnish and by a Finnish-speaking author. Published in 1870
, Seven Brothers ended an era dominated by Swedish-speaking authors, most notable of which was J.L. Runeberg
, and created a solid basis for new Finnish authors like Minna Canth
and Juhani Aho
who were, together with Aleksis Kivi, the first authors to depict ordinary Finns in a realistic way. Seven Brothers has been translated twice into English, first by Alex Matson and later by Richard Impola. Additionally, it has been translated into more than thirty other languages.
The novel was particularly reviled by the literary circles of Kivi's time, who disliked the unflattering image of Finns it presented. The titular characters were seen as crude caricatures of the nationalistic ideals of the time. Foremost in this hostile backlash was the influential critic August Ahlqvist
, who called the book a "ridiculous work and a blot on the name of Finnish literature".
, jury, vicar
, precentor
and teachers – not to mention their neighbours in Toukola
village. No wonder young girls' mothers do not regard them as good suitors. When they should learn to read
before they can accept church confirmation
and therefore official adulthood, they escape.
Eventually they end up moving to distant Impivaara in the middle of relative wilderness but their first efforts are shoddy – in a Christmas Eve they end up burning their new house. Next spring they try again and manage to kill a hostile herd of bulls. Ten years of clearing forest for fields, hard work and hard drinking – and Simeoni’s delirium tremens
– eventually make them change their ways. They learn to read on their own and eventually return to Jukola.
In the end most of them become pillars of the community and family men. Still, the tone of the tale is not particularly moralistic.
Aleksis Kivi
Aleksis Kivi , born Alexis Stenvall, was a Finnish author who wrote the first significant novel in the Finnish language, Seven Brothers...
, the national author of Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, and it is widely regarded as the first significant novel written in Finnish and by a Finnish-speaking author. Published in 1870
1870 in literature
The year 1870 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*Thomas Bailey Aldrich - The Story of a Bad Boy*Thomas Archer - The Terrible Sights of London*Rhoda Broughton - Red as a rose is she...
, Seven Brothers ended an era dominated by Swedish-speaking authors, most notable of which was J.L. Runeberg
Johan Ludvig Runeberg
Johan Ludvig Runeberg was a Finnish poet, and is the national poet of Finland. He wrote in the Swedish language....
, and created a solid basis for new Finnish authors like Minna Canth
Minna Canth
Minna Canth was a Finnish writer and social activist. Canth began to write while managing her family draper's shop and living as a widow raising seven children...
and Juhani Aho
Juhani Aho
Juhani Aho, originally Johannes Brofeldt, was a Finnish author and journalist.Aho's literary output is wide-ranging since he pursued different styles as time passed....
who were, together with Aleksis Kivi, the first authors to depict ordinary Finns in a realistic way. Seven Brothers has been translated twice into English, first by Alex Matson and later by Richard Impola. Additionally, it has been translated into more than thirty other languages.
The novel was particularly reviled by the literary circles of Kivi's time, who disliked the unflattering image of Finns it presented. The titular characters were seen as crude caricatures of the nationalistic ideals of the time. Foremost in this hostile backlash was the influential critic August Ahlqvist
August Ahlqvist
Karl August Engelbrekt Ahlqvist, who wrote as A. Oksanen , was a Finnish poet, scholar of the Finno-Ugric language, author, and literary critic....
, who called the book a "ridiculous work and a blot on the name of Finnish literature".
Jukola brothers
- Juhani – the oldest brother, also the most stubbornStubbornStubborn may refer to:* HMS Stubborn , an S class submarine* Little Miss Stubborn, a character in the Little Miss series of books* Mr. Stubborn, a character on the children's television show The Mr. Men Show...
of them - Aapo – twin-brother of Tuomas, logical and peaceful
- Tuomas – scrupulous, strong as a bull although Juhani claims to be the strongest brother
- Simeoni – alcoholic and the most religious brother
- Timo – twin-brother of Lauri, simple and earnest
- Lauri – the most solemn brother, friend of nature and a loner
- Eero – the youngest brother, intelligent, clever, quarrelsome when confronted with Juhani
Plot summary
At first, the brothers are not a particularly peaceful lot and end up quarreling with the local constableConstable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
, jury, vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
, precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
and teachers – not to mention their neighbours in Toukola
Toukola
Toukola is a district of Helsinki, Finland, around 4 km north of the town centre, at the port of Vanhankaupunginlahti. Toukola is part of the administrative region of Vanhakaupunki....
village. No wonder young girls' mothers do not regard them as good suitors. When they should learn to read
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
before they can accept church confirmation
Confirmation (Christian sacrament)
Confirmation is a rite of initiation in Christian churches, normally carried out through anointing and/or the laying on of hands and prayer for the purpose of bestowing the Gift of the Holy Spirit....
and therefore official adulthood, they escape.
Eventually they end up moving to distant Impivaara in the middle of relative wilderness but their first efforts are shoddy – in a Christmas Eve they end up burning their new house. Next spring they try again and manage to kill a hostile herd of bulls. Ten years of clearing forest for fields, hard work and hard drinking – and Simeoni’s delirium tremens
Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens is an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813...
– eventually make them change their ways. They learn to read on their own and eventually return to Jukola.
In the end most of them become pillars of the community and family men. Still, the tone of the tale is not particularly moralistic.