# Freedom vs. Oppression in The House of the Wolfings

> Theme guide for The House of the Wolfings by William Morris.

The Markmen's struggle against the Romans is framed as a defense of their free, communal way of life against an imperial power that enslaves, destroys homes, and imposes rigid hierarchy, as seen in the descriptions of Roman slavery and tyranny.

## Where it surfaces

- [They Talk on the Way to the Folk-Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/vi-they-talk-on-the-way-to-the-folk-thing): Hiarandi contrasts the freedom of the Markmen with the oppressive rule of the Romans, where thralls and unhappy freemen are harshly governed by idle masters.
- [VIII: The Folk-Mote of the Markmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/viii-the-folk-mote-of-the-markmen): The speeches of Bork and Geirmund emphasize the Roman threat to the freedom and way of life of the Markmen, contrasting their own liberty with the Romans' lust for domination.
- [XIV: The Hall-Sun Is Careful Concerning the Passes of the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xiv-the-hall-sun-is-careful-concerning-the-passes-of-the-wood): The Hall-Sun's speech vividly contrasts the Romans' desire to enslave and torment the Markmen with the Goths' love of freedom and kinship.
- [Tidings Brought to the Wain-Burg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xviii-tidings-brought-to-the-wain-burg): The Roman invasion threatens the Mark's autonomy, and the host's swift mobilization underscores the defense of their homeland.
- [XXI: They Bicker About the Ford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xxi-they-bicker-about-the-ford): The Markmen resist the Roman invasion, fighting to preserve their homes and way of life against an imperial force that seeks to subjugate them.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/themes/freedom_vs_oppression
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/themes