Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen

Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen is a novel from 1885 by Norwegian writer Hans Jæger. The book was confiscated shortly after its publication, and Jæger was sentenced to prison and lost his position as stenographer at the Parliament.

Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen
Cover of Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen, 1894 edition in Minneapolis
AuthorHans Jæger
CountryNorway
LanguageNorwegian
Genrenovel
Published1885

Plot

The novel is set in Christiania, and deals with the everyday life of two friends, "Herman Ek" and "candidate Jarmann". They live in lodgings and spend their days drinking in cafés, discussing philosophy, literature and society reforms. "Jarmann" ends his life by committing suicide, shooting himself after spending his last night with a prostitute. The novel is a roman à clef, as the characters are easily recognizable as real people: "Ek" is Jæger himself, and "Jarmann" also has a corresponding real person.[1]

Confiscation and trial

The book was immediately banned by the Ministry of Justice, and the police managed to confiscate most of the printed copies shortly after its publication. Jæger was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment and a fine of 80 kr, for infringement of modesty and public morals, and for blasphemy.[2] He also lost his position as a stenographer at the Parliament of Norway.[3] Jæger was defended in court by barrister Ludvig Meyer.[4][5] The Supreme Court decision became the subject of a fierce debate. Liberal and conservative newspapers mostly supported the government's actions and the court decision, while intellectuals raised their voices in support of freedom of speech.[6] The confiscation of Kristiania-Bohêmen sparked a debate on freedom of press in 1886 in the literary, cultural and political magazine Nyt Tidsskrift.[7][8][9][10][11] The novel gave its name to a literary movement in Norway in the 1880s (in Norwegian: bohembevegelsen), which included, in addition to Jæger, Christian Krohg, Gunnar Heiberg, Ludvig Meyer, Arne Garborg and others. Their "program" was based on naturalism, and also included elements of socialism and anarchism. Discussions on morals and sexuality had started early in the 1880s, and the debate became even more heated after the confiscation of Jæger's book in 1885, of Krohg's novel Albertine in 1886, and the imprisonment of Jæger.[12]

Re-issue

When the novel was re-issued in 1950, it spurred no debate or government action.[6]

References
  1. Dahl, Willy (1984). Norges litteratur (in Norwegian). 2. Oslo: Aschehoug. pp. 26–31. ISBN 82-03-10571-8.
  2. Henriksen, Petter (ed.). "Hans Jæger". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  3. Jensen, Lill-Ann. "Hans Jæger". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  4. Henriksen, Petter (ed.). "Ludvig Meyer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  5. Terjesen, Einar A. "Ludvig Meyer". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  6. Beyer, Edvard (1975). Norges Litteraturhistorie (in Norwegian). 3. Oslo: Cappelen. pp. 578–581.
  7. Ulleland (1886). Sars, J. E.; Skavlan, Olaf (eds.). "Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen og pressefriheden". Nyt Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). Vol. 5. Kristiania. pp. 198–210.
  8. Sars, J.E. (1886). Sars, J. E.; Skavlan, Olaf (eds.). "Endnu nogle ord om pressefriheden". Nyt Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). Vol. 5. Kristiania. pp. 211–227.
  9. Bjørnson, Bjørnstjerne (1886). Sars, J. E.; Skavlan, Olaf (eds.). "Brev om Fra Kristiania-Bohêmen". Nyt Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). Vol. 5. Kristiania. pp. 342–344.
  10. Havstad, Lars A. (1886). Sars, J. E.; Skavlan, Olaf (eds.). "Endnu nogle ord om pressefriheden". Nyt Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). Vol. 5. Kristiania. pp. 345–347.
  11. Wilson, Thos. M. (1886). Sars, J. E.; Skavlan, Olaf (eds.). "Endnu nogle ord om pressefrihed". Nyt Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). Vol. 5. Kristiania. pp. 565–572.
  12. Henriksen, Petter (ed.). "bohembevegelsen". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
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