Chapter 21 Summary: Princess Lysa's Reflections on Faith and Family
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Princess Lysa finds a Bible in her bedchamber and reads several passages, drawing comfort from the scriptures. She thinks back on her dyslexia, which she overcame through early diagnosis and specialist training, viewing it as a manageable challenge rather than a disability. Lysa reaffirms her devotion to the Church of Sweden and appreciates its progressive stances on women priests and same-sex marriage, a viewpoint that differs from her brother King Wilhelm’s traditionalism. She reflects on the Swedish concepts of lagom (moderation) and jantelagen (humility), favoring the latter. Her husband John is described as modest, wealthy yet generous, and careful to stay out of the spotlight. She recalls happy childhood summers filled with midsummer festivals, dancing around maypoles, and traditional foods. A deep regret surfaces: she cannot have children, a fact she learned in her twenties. Yet she finds peace in additional Bible verses and counts her blessings—her husband, her brother, her nieces and nephews, and the Swedish people. She concludes that life is good and she wants for nothing.
Key Events
- Lysa reads aloud from the Bible, focusing on verses about salvation, suffering, and peace.
- She remembers her dyslexia diagnosis and the training that helped her read fluently.
- She contemplates her faith in the evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden and its inclusive policies.
- She compares her own progressive values with her brother Wilhelm’s traditionalism, noting that he keeps his opinions private.
- She considers the cultural principles lagom and jantelagen, declaring that she lives more by the latter, detesting self-promotion.
- She recalls the joy of Swedish midsummer celebrations from her childhood.
- She acknowledges the pain of her childlessness but finds solace in scripture.
- She affirms her love for her husband John, who remains modest despite his wealth.
- She ends by feeling content and grateful for her position as wife, princess, and member of the Swedish nation.
Character Development
- Princess Lysa: This chapter provides the deepest interior view of Lysa so far. Her faith is central, shaping her resilience and acceptance. She is intellectually capable (having conquered dyslexia), culturally rooted (embracing jantelagen), emotionally vulnerable (grieving childlessness), yet ultimately optimistic. Her relationship with her brother is affectionate but marked by ideological distance; she forgives his generational coolness toward John. She emerges as a balanced, empathetic figure who finds meaning in both tradition and progress.
- John (Lysa's husband): Although not physically present, John is characterized through Lysa’s thoughts. He is quiet, modest, enormously wealthy yet discreet, a generous philanthropist who avoids confrontation with the king.
- King Wilhelm (Lysa's brother): Described as a traditionalist who keeps his opinions hidden, Wilhelm is aloof toward John for reasons of royal protocol. Lysa sees this as generational and forgivable.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Faith and Scripture: The Bible serves as a direct source of comfort, with multiple verses cited to reinforce peace, identity, and hope. Lysa’s reliance on scripture highlights the theme of spiritual sustenance.
- Humility vs. Ambition: The Swedish ideals of lagom (moderation) and jantelagen (humility) contrast with the desire to stand out. Lysa’s rejection of self-importance aligns her with the latter principle.
- Acceptance and Contentment: The chapter moves from Lysa’s regrets (dyslexia, childlessness) to a grateful acceptance of her life. The motif of “enough” echoes lagom and her final statement “Life was good.”
- Family Dynamics and Tradition: The generational and ideological gap between Lysa and Wilhelm represents a subtle conflict within the royal family, rooted in tradition versus progressive Christianity.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 21 is a pivotal character study that deepens readers’ understanding of Princess Lysa, who has previously appeared primarily through action. It establishes her inner world—her faith, her struggles, her values, and her relationships—making her a complex, sympathetic figure. The chapter also sows seeds for potential conflict: the tension between Lysa and Wilhelm over religion, and the subtle strain between Wilhelm and John. By ending on a note of contentment, the chapter may foreshadow events that test that peace.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Lysa’s experience with dyslexia reveal about her personality?
Answer: Lysa’s dyslexia, diagnosed early and overcome with specialist help, shows her determination, self-discipline, and refusal to see obstacles as disabilities. She frames it as a “challenge” rather than a “disability,” emphasizing her resilient, positive outlook.
2. How do the concepts lagom and jantelagen influence Lysa’s worldview?
Answer: Lysa endorses both cultural ideals but favors jantelagen (the belief that no one is more special than anyone else). This guides her modesty and her distaste for self-promotion. It also shapes her appreciation for her husband John, who lives humbly despite his wealth.
3. Describe the relationship between King Wilhelm and John as seen through Lysa’s eyes. What causes the tension?
Answer: According to Lysa, there is an aloofness rooted in one being royalty and the other a commoner. Wilhelm is traditional and unbending, while John is quiet and avoids confrontation. Lysa views the tension as generational and not threatening, and she forgives her brother for it.