Chapter 55: Svala Learns About Her Past
⚠️ 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
Svala enters the dog pen and calmly approaches the aggressive laika, speaking to it in soft tones. She gains the dog’s trust, sitting with it as the other dogs look on. Laura arrives and is shocked to see Svala unharmed. They begin a tense conversation about Svala’s early childhood. Laura reveals that she cared for Svala as an infant after Märta disappeared. She describes the reindeer massacre carried out by Niedermann, Svala’s biological father, which devastated the family’s herd. Laura explains that Märta later returned with Peder Sandberg, claiming she owed him a debt because of Niedermann. Svala learns that her first word was “Eadni” (mother) even though Märta was absent. Laura admits that Elias banished Märta and Svala because he believed Märta brought misfortune. Svala, feeling unwelcome, decides to leave.
Key Events
- Svala enters the dog pen and calms the laika by speaking to it and offering gentle touch.
- Laura warns Svala about the dangerous dog, but Svala proves capable of handling it.
- Laura recounts caring for infant Svala in a birch-bark carrier during the reindeer marking season.
- Laura reveals the reindeer massacre: Niedermann shot and stabbed many reindeer, leaving them suffering.
- Märta returned after Niedermann’s death, bringing Peder Sandberg and claiming a debt to him.
- Svala learns that her first spoken word was “Eadni” (mother) despite Märta not being present.
- Elias, Svala’s grandfather, banished Märta and Svala, saying they were not welcome back.
- Svala states she does not feel liked there and decides to go home.
Character Development
Svala demonstrates remarkable empathy and fearlessness. She intuitively understands the laika’s aggression stems from its cruel master, and she uses calm words and patience to earn its trust. This mirrors her ability to navigate hostile human relationships. Her questions about her father and her infancy reveal a deep need to understand her own history. Learning that her first word was “mother” creates a poignant connection to Märta despite her absence.
Laura emerges as a more complex figure. She was the one who truly cared for Svala as a baby, and she admits she always hoped Svala would return. Yet Laura also participated in the banishment, siding with Elias out of fear of losing more livestock. Her guilt is palpable when she cannot answer Svala’s question about why she didn’t protest the exile.
The laika functions as a mirror for Svala’s past: a creature that has been mistreated but still longs for connection. Svala’s ability to reach the dog hints at her resilience and her need to heal old wounds.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Animal taming as emotional connection: The laika’s trust parallels Svala’s need to be accepted by her family. The dog’s history with a cruel master echoes Svala’s own experiences.
- Language and identity: Svala’s surprise that she once spoke Sami highlights how her cultural roots were severed. The word “Eadni” ties her to a mother who was never there, creating a bittersweet sense of belonging.
- The reindeer massacre: This event symbolizes the violence that follows Niedermann and the cost of Märta’s choices. The wounded animals left alive represent unresolved trauma that lingers across generations.
- Banishment and debt: The family’s decision to exile Märta and Svala shows how fear of further loss can override loyalty. Laura’s statement that Märta “attracted misfortune” reveals a belief in toxic legacy.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 55 provides crucial backstory for Svala’s origins. It explains why she grew up with Peder Sandberg rather than with her mother’s family, and it fills in details about Niedermann’s violent role. The reindeer massacre is a key plot event that shaped the family’s hostility toward Svala. Laura’s confession humanizes her and opens the door for potential reconciliation. The chapter also deepens Svala’s character as she actively seeks truth and forms a connection with the dog that mirrors her own isolation. This conversation sets the stage for future confrontations with Märta and the Sandbergs.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Svala say the laika hates Laura and the family? Svala observes that the dog has been mistreated by its master and senses the family’s fear. The laika’s aggression is a response to cruelty, which Svala intuitively understands because she herself has been treated harshly.
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What does Laura reveal about how Svala’s father died? Laura says Märta claimed Niedermann “went to his own death” and did not blame Peder Sandberg. The exact circumstances remain vague, but the implication is that Niedermann died due to his own violent actions.
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Why did Elias banish Märta and Svala? Elias believed Märta attracted misfortune, especially after the reindeer massacre. He told her if she left with Peder Sandberg, she and Svala would not be welcome back. Laura admits the family could not afford to lose more than they already had.