Ställföreträdande föräldrar: Förvärvade familjerelationer i "Mio, min Mio", "Rasmus på luffen" och "Vi på Saltkråkan"

Abstract

In the works of Astrid Lindgren, the theme of substitute parents is well used. However, the subject has not been the main interest in any of the previously made studies. The aim of this study is to find what in Lindgren’s narrative style that makes some of the adults in "Mio, min Mio", "Rasmus på luffen" and "Vi på Saltkråkan" appear as parents, even though they are not parents in neither a biological or legal sense, and also understand how these adults can be viewed as parents, and how it affects the perceptions of the stories. Through a narratological reading of the works of fiction in an application of theories around family structure and parental roles, the results shows that the focalization plays a big role in how the acquired relations are portrayed. The character who is focalized appears more invested in the relationship, and if the focalization on top of that is internal, the contrast appears even larger. In addition, Lindgren creates atmospheres and feelings with the description of setting and personification, which can sometimes deepen the presentation of development in the relationships. That the adults can be viewed as parental depends largely on the fact that they live up to roles and behaviors that traditionally is viewed as maternal or paternal. The acquired relationships that occur in the works contributes, in some cases, to the well-known happy ending.