Establishing a perspective from Knuth Becker to other realistic writers critical of society and religion

Abstract

Knuth Becker (1891-1974) can be compared with other realistic writers and writers critical of society and religion – in particular Indre Mission – e.g. Hans Kirk (1898-1962) in the novel Fiskerne (1928) and Erik Aalbæk Jensen (1932-1997) in the novel Perleporten (1964) and its sequel Kridtstregen (1976). Both writers are critical but have – for different reasons – also some sympathy towards Indre Mission. Among the writers critical towards religion can also be counted Otto Gelsted (1888-1968) with his criticism aimed at catholicism. Kirk as well as Gelsted move from radicalism to communism. Becker, on the other hand, has never announced his political orientation, but his works express an obvious solidarity with the individual, who is suppressed by those in power who in their own imagination are the just.

Kirk’s Fiskerne is based on a marxist analysis. The poor and the hard-working (and quite fanatic) fishermen belong to Indre Mission, because strict morals and expectation of the hereafter belong together. Their hard-working attitude and social solidarity should, according to Kirk, develop towards the revolutionary.

Aalbæk Jensen is a Christian and has worked as a minister – and has also been a member of the resistance movement during the German occupation of Denmark during World War 2. He understands the spiritual longing in the religious language but rejects fanaticism and moral suppression of the natural zest for life. The religious and ethical discussion in Perleporten and Kridtstregen is focused on the depiction of two young men, Bertel and Hardy, who during the occupation are attracted by the substitute religion of Nazism and volunteer to served in the German army. In the moment of defeat, they must realise that they have made the wrong choice. One of them claims that all ethical values are subordinate to power. The victor writes the history. If Germany had won the war, they would both have been on the right side. Thus Bertel relativises all values. The other character, Hardy, has a backgrund with Indre Mission and Christian faith becomes meaningful to him again. Therefore, he persist that personal responsibility is something absolute. Responsibility tells the human being that there is an absolute difference between good and evil even though, sometimes, it can be difficult to see the borderline. Here Hardy serves as the mouthpiece of the author.