Poetry
Hustavler
Not translated into English
Arnulf Øverland · 1929
Synopsis
Britannica describes the collection as a set of poems about Norway and about life, and renders its title as “rules of life”. Death holds a central place in it: Tibi's entry notes that the longest poem in the book is devoted to it. The best known, “En hustavle”, consists of three rhymed quatrains in simple sentences: true joy lies in gladdening others, there are sorrows that no tears can ease, and no one can spend the rest of his days beside a grave.
Context
The collection appeared in 1929. Britannica reports the judgement of a critic who sees in it the most successful fusion of the development of the man and of the artist, and Tibi holds it to be the peak of his poetry. The verse remains rhymed and regular. Four years later, the author gave a lecture against Christianity at the Oslo Students' Society which brought him a trial; his acquittal led to the amendment in 1934 of the penal provision on blasphemy, a Storting document recalls.
Who it is for
Short rhyming poems, easy to say aloud, with no French or English translation.
Prizes and reception
According to Tibi, its author's masterpiece, never surpassed by him as a lyric poet.
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The pages consulted to check this page.