A Glimpse of Danish Literature [Part 5]

Before the outbreak of World War II, the literary world was generally anti-Nazi. The postwar period brought many new subjects, but it was much later that many talents were recognized.

Copenhagen, Denmark.

MODERN LITERATURE PERIOD

Post-war literature (after 1945)

Before the outbreak of World War II, the literary world was generally anti-Nazi. The German occupation from 1940 was a fatal blow to what remained of the belief in progress, culture and ideals. The post-war period brought new themes, but it was much later that many talents were recognized.

Poetry of the 40s and 50s: During the war years, people felt a cultural crisis. Some poets continued to write traditionally, writing simple, melancholy verses. The general poetic trend, represented by the Heretica group (Heretica, 1948-1953), went against the rationalist and materialist poetry of the 30s, expressing anxiety and despair.

M. Neilsen (1922-1944) joined the resistance and died young. His poetry is typical of a young generation that lost all illusions but was ready to sacrifice for freedom.

H. Rasmussen (born 1915), wrote resistance poetry. After the war, his poetic tone became bitter, skeptical and ultimately humorous.

O. Sarvig (born 1921) writes poetry with cosmic emotions, associated with abstract painting. His novels are close to the French "new novel" or detective novels.

Th. Bjornvig (1918-2004) felt that the mystery of love and God's grace was the way out of chaos and uncertainty. He renewed love poetry.

O. Wivel (born 1921) published the newspaper Heretica. He expressed the anxieties of modern man and later turned to the Gospel – he was influenced by German poetry.

F. Jaeger (1926-1977) wrote poetry and novels, with a humorous and free-spirited style.

Prose of the 50s: In contrast to poetry, which has undergone many changes, prose remains in the tradition of the 30s. There is a tendency to create a mythical atmosphere.

WA Linneman (born 1914) is a gifted storyteller. His three-volume novella imitates the “romantic” style, depicting modern-day Europeans through stories told to each other in their bunkers.

A. Dam (1889-1972) wrote stories on the theme that Blixen had proposed: humanity must realize itself in relation to destiny.

Experimental realism, associated with European modernism.

V. Sorensen (born 1929) writes existentialist criticism and philosophical fiction, influenced by Kafka and Thomas Mann, while remaining fluent in the Nordic tradition. He received the Critics Prize in 1997.

P. Seeberg (born 1925) accurately tells “fables” that take place in the peaceful country of Denmark.

L. Panduro (1923-1977) presents a typical character who is divided by being attached to the past, worried about the rigid conventions and standards of society.

Theatre and poetry in the 1960s: Poetry in the post-war years spoke of helplessness and fear, finding an outlet in cosmic and metaphysical emotions. In the 1950s, poetry gradually turned to social realism. In the 1960s, this tendency was stronger (Panduro's realistic drama, more outdoor poetry, experimental poetry).

The plays of E. Bolsen (born 1923) are the most acclaimed. He combines realism and fantasy, criticizing the main problems of capitalist society, such as the entertainment industry, public opinion manipulation, neo-fascism, etc.

Poetry of the early 1960s was lyrically modern, accepting of the welfare state and commercialization.

K. Riebjerg (born 1931) is a versatile talent, asserting himself in poetry, journalism, cinema, fiction and theatre.

I. Malinovski (born 1926) was influenced by Swedish poets, he followed a left-wing revolutionary stance. S. Sonne is a poet who describes historical and legendary visions, from ancient times, on foreign lands.

Critic and poet J. G. Brandt (born 1929), promoted art for art's sake and turned to the mystical.

B. Andersen (born 1929) writes poems about degenerate human beings in monologues.

Modern Prose: The 1960s were a milestone. This generation was influenced by the French Nouveau Novel (novels without plot, without distinction between author and character).

SA Madsen (born 1939) writes novels, through which political and social ideas gradually appear. This is also noticeable in S. Holm (born 1940), who combines existentialism with socialism. The prose and poetry of C. Bodker (born 1927) have a mythical tendency. The poet and novelist V. Ryun (born 1937) describes a secret world, a mixture of everyday reality and fantasy. D. Willumsen (born 1940) tells magical, surreal stories, depicting alienated life. She received the 1997 Nordic Council Literary Prize.

Neorealism: Around 1965, Thorkild Hansen (1927-1989) signaled this trend with works based on historical documents.

The most prolific and famous “new realist” author is A. Bodelsen (born 1937). His novels tell the story of the welfare society in an objective style. He deals with current political and economic issues, and writes in a modern style that is very attractive.

C. Kampmann (born 1939) also critically analyzed the middle-class lifestyle, but went deeper into psychology.

H. Stangerup (born 1937) is a journalist, filmmaker and critic. His primary concern is the dark side of modern welfare society. He satirically exposes the lies of the press.

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