Genre
Historical Novel
Setting and Context
The book is set in Orkney, Scotland.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood are neutral.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonists are Snaer, Logi, Kari and Frosti.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is when King Olaf Tryggvasson forces every person in the north to convert to Christianity.
Climax
The climax comes when Rognvald becomes earl because he gains a reputation comparable to his grandfather's, who was considered holy.
Foreshadowing
The allocation of Sweden and Norway to Nor and Gor foreshadowed endless supremacy wars.
Understatement
Rognvald underestimated his youngest son Einarr and thought he was a bastard. However, the son did his level best to control the area under his jurisdiction.
Allusions
The story alludes to the origins of Norway and Sweden.
Imagery
The depiction of Rognvald’s ruling style as sacred and holy creates sight imagery. For instance, readers can compare Rognvald’s leadership style to his ancestor.
Paradox
The main satire in the entire text is that instead of serving people, leaders are engaged in endless supremacy wars.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The ‘mythical elements’ refers to gods who initiated the creation of Norway and Sweden.
Personification
The mythical gods are incarnated.
