The Wreath: Kristin Lavransdatter #1

The title of the novel, The Wreath, puts forward a primary symbol of the story as wreaths appear in Kristin’s life numerous times—either literally or in conversation—and act as landmarks for particular moments when her innocence is diminished. The first time is in the encounter with the elf maiden by the river who offers a wreath of golden flowers as a crown. Saved from an uncertain fate, Kristin is caught by her father before anything else can happen. It is not clear what would have happened if Kristin would have accepted the golden wreath; she could have become enchanted, or perhaps nothing would have happened at all. In either case, the moment symbolizes an initiation for which Kristin was not ready. Later on, after Kristin has fallen in love with Erlend, she wears a wreath on her head like a crown—typically worn with loose hair only by young women who are unmarried, and thus are still virgins—and she feels as though everyone can see through her deceit, “as if they could tell that she was standing there like a liar with the gold wreath on her hair, which fell loosely over her shoulders” (166).

In the final chapters of the novel, Brother Edvin tells Kristin that he wishes she had been able to “come to God with [her] wreath” (257)—a symbol of her purity and virginity—but he realizes Kristin had chosen another path and that the life of the convent was not her path. At the very end, as she is dressed for her wedding, Kristin is crowned with a golden circlet, reminiscent of the crown wreath she had been offered when she was a little girl. This time, however, her father is unable to save her from the consequences of placing that crown upon her head, and she is married to Erlend, and to an uncertain fate.