Lavengro · Chapter
The Wake of Freya explained
In a summer evening garden, Lavengro's parents discuss his lack of discrimination in his legal apprenticeship, which leads to a story from his mother about a childhood ceremony—the 'Wake of Freya'—a pagan invocation to the Norse goddess Fre
What happens
In a summer evening garden, Lavengro's parents discuss his lack of discrimination in his legal apprenticeship, which leads to a story from his mother about a childhood ceremony—the 'Wake of Freya'—a pagan invocation to the Norse goddess Freya, which Lavengro had explained to her as a relic of Danish worship.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it reveals the protagonist’s hidden linguistic ability—his sudden de…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Religion and Priestcraft
The mother's story reveals a pagan ceremony invoking Freya, which Lavengro interprets as a relic of Danish worship, contrasting with Christian norms.
- Philology and Learning
Lavengro's knowledge of Old Norse and his explanation of the ceremony's origins demonstrate his philological interests.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
Discussed as having a total want of discrimination in his legal work; also credited with explaining the Norse origins of the 'Wake of Freya' ceremony.
- The Landlord
Mentioned as Mr. S⸺, Lavengro's master, who describes him as a 'remarkable youth' but lacking discrimination.
Key passages
“I am afraid that I have not acted very wisely in putting this boy of ours to the law”
Lavengro's father worries that apprenticing him to a lawyer was a mistake.
Opening concern about Lavengro's suitability for legal work.
“It appears that the lad has a total want of discrimination.”
Lavengro's master says he lacks the ability to distinguish between people of different social ranks.
Key criticism from Mr. S⸺ about Lavengro's professional flaw.
“He says that this Freya was not only a very comely woman, but also particularly neat in her person, and that she invariably went dressed in snow-white linen.”
Lavengro explains that the Norse goddess Freya was beautiful and always wore white linen.
Lavengro's learned explanation of the pagan goddess.
