Northern Myth in Works of Finnish Prose Writers of Second Half of 19th Century (Fairy Tales of Zacharias Topelius)

Abstract

This article examines the problematics of the authorial myth created by Zacharias Topelius in his fairy tales. The primary source material is drawn from his collection, “Reading for Children”. The study’s relevance is underscored by the insufficient scholarly attention given to the mythological components in the works of this Finnish writer and poet, particularly those related to conceptualizations of the North as a unique world. The novelty of this research lies in its demonstration of how Topelius constructs an authorial Northern myth, grounded in such archetypes as the World Tree, the figures of the sea god Ahti and his consort Vellamo, the mythological smith, and the shaman. It is argued that among these mythological components, a reduced eschatological myth — linked to the plot of sorcerers vying to capture the sun — plays a particularly significant role. The article further identifies a complex of motifs that form the foundation of the poetics of Topelius’s Northern myth: the motif of sacrifice, the motif of the miraculous gift, and the motif of winter. The analysis establishes that Topelius fashions a unique authorial Northern myth, synthesizing a complex of Finnish and Sámi pagan beliefs filtered through the writer’s own Christian worldview. It is emphasized that humanistic ideals, intended to educate the younger generation to live in peace and harmony with all Northern peoples, play a special role in this myth.