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7. Going to Norway
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Boy, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Authority and Hypocrisy
Beauty and Imagination
Growing Up
English Nationalism
Summary
Analysis
After visiting Bestepapa and Bestemama, Roald and his family always continue their Norwegian vacation by sailing down the beautiful Oslofjord to the island of Tjöme. There, the family stays in a simple, “primitive” hotel without running water. After an excellent breakfast of fish, fruits, and cheeses, Roald’s family goes boating and fishing. His mother steers the boat expertly. The family often goes to a sandy patch of land on a faraway island, known only to them. When the family gets a motorboat, they start exploring further and discovering new islands. Roald remembers his summers in Norway fondly.
Again, Roald’s depiction of Norway emphasizes beauty, family time, and adventure, which contrasts with the strict discipline he experiences at school. Although the family’s hotel is plain and “primitive,” some of Roald’s best memories take place there. This detail combined with the chapter’s emphasis on adventure and discovery indicates Roald’s devaluation of English “civilization,” suggesting that one ought to leave behind the hyper-orderly English world in order to grow and enjoy oneself.
Themes
