Att Döda Ett Barn, or "Killing a Child" in English, is a short story written by Stig Dagerman in 1948. The story follows a young couple who stumble upon a dead child while on a walk in the woods. The story explores themes of morality, guilt, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this novella and analyze its key themes and literary elements.

The Plot

The story begins with a young couple, referred to as "the man" and "the woman," taking a walk in the woods. As they walk, they come across a dead child lying in a shallow grave. The couple is horrified and decides to report the discovery to the authorities.

The rest of the story focuses on the couple's reaction to the discovery and the guilt they feel for not having done more to prevent the child's death. The man becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of finding the child's killer and bringing them to justice, while the woman becomes more withdrawn and depressed.

Themes

Att Döda Ett Barn explores several key themes, including morality, guilt, and the human condition.

Morality

One of the central themes of the novella is morality. The couple's discovery of the dead child forces them to confront their own moral values and the limits of their compassion. They are faced with a moral dilemma: should they have done more to prevent the child's death, or are they blameless?

Guilt

Guilt is another major theme in the story. The couple feels guilty for not having done more to prevent the child's death, and their guilt becomes a driving force in the story. They are haunted by their own inaction and become obsessed with finding the child's killer to assuage their guilt.

The Human Condition

Finally, Att Döda Ett Barn explores the human condition and the fragility of human life. The death of the child is a stark reminder of the impermanence of life and the randomness of fate. The story suggests that all humans are vulnerable to the same fate as the child and that we must all grapple with our own mortality.

Literary Elements

Att Döda Ett Barn is a well-crafted piece of literature that employs several key literary elements to convey its themes and message.

Suspense

One of the most effective literary elements in the story is suspense. Dagerman creates a sense of unease and tension from the opening lines of the story, and this tension builds as the couple discovers the dead child and begins to grapple with their guilt and moral values.

Symbolism

The story also makes use of symbolism to convey its themes. The dead child, for example, can be seen as a symbol of the fragility of human life and the randomness of fate. The man's obsession with finding the child's killer can be seen as a symbol of the human need for justice and closure.

Irony

The story also employs irony to highlight the couple's moral dilemma. The couple is out for a walk in nature, which is often seen as a symbol of purity and innocence. The discovery of the dead child in this idyllic setting is a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most innocent-seeming environments.

Conclusion

Att Döda Ett Barn is a powerful and thought-provoking novella that explores themes of morality, guilt, and the human condition. Through its use of literary elements such as suspense, symbolism, and irony, the story conveys a powerful message about the fragility of human life and the human need for justice and closure.

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