Under the encouragement of George Brandes his novel Marie Grubbe was
begun in 1873, and published in 1876. His other novel Niels Lyhne
appeared in 1880. Excluding his early scientific works, these two
books together with a collection of short stories, Mogens and Other
Tales, published in 1882, and a posthumous volume of poems, constitute
Jacobsen's literary testament. The present volume contains Mogens, the
story with which he made his literary debut, and other characteristic
stories.
The physical measure of Jacobsen's accomplishment was not great, but
it was an important milestone in northern literature. It is hardly an
exaggeration to say that in so far as Scandinavia is concerned he
created a new method of literary approach and a new artistic prose.
There is scarcely a writer in these countries, since 1880, with any
pretension toward literary expression who has not directly or
indirectly come under Jacobsen's influence.
O. F. THEIS.
MOGENS
MOGENS
SUMMER it was; in the middle of the day; in a corner of the enclosure.
Immediately in front of it stood an old oaktree, of whose trunk one
might say, that it agonized in despair because of the lack of harmony
between its fresh yellowish foliage and its black and gnarled
branches; they resembled most of all grossly misdrawn old gothic
arabesques. Behind the oak was a luxuriant thicket of hazel with dark
sheenless leaves, which were so dense, that neither trunk nor branches
could be seen.
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