# Supernatural and Folklore in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Jonas Lie.

The stories are deeply rooted in Norse and Sami folklore, featuring draugs, huldrefish, gan-finns, wind-gnomes, and other mythical beings that interact with and often disrupt human lives.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Fisherman and the Draug](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-fisherman-and-the-draug): The Draug, a vengeful sea spirit, appears as a monstrous seal and later as a humanoid figure, driving the plot's supernatural revenge.
- [Jack of Sjöholm and the Gan-Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/jack-of-sj-holm-and-the-gan-finn): The Gan-Finn's magic, spirit journeys, and the haunting of Jack by his drowned family embody supernatural elements.
- [Tug of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/tug-of-war): The Draug's attack and the second sight of a crew member illustrate deep-rooted folk beliefs in supernatural forces.
- [The Earth Draws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-earth-draws): The entire chapter revolves around the salesman's encounter with the underground folk, their magical ring, and the supernatural allure of the mountain.
- [The Cormorants of Andvaer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-cormorants-of-andvaer): The cormorants, the thirteenth bird, the treasure island, and the girl's transformation into rags at sunset all draw on Norse folkloric motifs of shape-shifting and enchanted beings.
- [The Wind-Gnome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-wind-gnome): The Wind-Gnome's daughter grants Bardun a magical rudder, embodying supernatural forces that control wind and fortune.
- [The Huldrefish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-huldrefish): The huldrefish and the dream journey into a hidden underworld of eyeless fish, sea serpents, and invisible beings embody supernatural folklore.
- [Finn-Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/finn-blood): The chapter is steeped in Finnish tales of mermen, draugs, and sorcery, with Eilert's encounter with a sea-girl and underwater realm.
- [The Homestead Westward in the Blue Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/the-homestead-westward-in-the-blue-mountains): The chapter is steeped in Norwegian folk belief, with mountain maidens, a serpent, and a warning about glamour and enchantment.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/chapters/endnotes): Notes define the Draug, a demon of the north Norwegian coast, and explain magic knots used by Finns to raise gales, as well as hulder (elfin) beings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/themes/supernatural_and_folklore
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_32_se/themes