The Fisherman and the Draug
The story revolves around a fisherman who catches a large fish that turns out to be the Draug, a mythical creature from Norse mythology. The fisherman's life changes dramatically after this encounter, and he becomes increasingly obsessed with the treasure of the Draug. As the fisherman delves deeper into the mystery of the treasure, he faces numerous challenges and obstacles, including the wrath of the Draug's kin. The story explores themes of greed, obsession, and the consequences of meddling with forces beyond human control. The narrative is a blend of realism and fantasy, drawing on elements from Norse mythology to create a unique and captivating tale.
By Jonas Lie · First published 1883 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Tragedy, Adventure · 4,123 words
First lines
On Kvalholm, down in Helgeland,4 dwelt a poor fisherman, Elias by name, with his wife Karen, who had been in service at the parson's over at Alstad. They had built them a hut here, and he used to go out fishing by the day about the Lofotens.
There could be very little doubt that the lonely Kvalholm was haunted. Whenever her husband was away, Karen heard all manner of uncanny shrieks and noises, which could mean no good. One day, when she was up on the hillside, mowing grass to serve as winter fodder for their couple of sheep, she heard, quite plainly, a chattering on the strand beneath the hill, but look over she durst not.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fisherman and the Draug is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jonas Lie, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jonas Lie
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Tragedy, Adventure, Folklore, Realism
- Length: 4,123 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fisherman and the Draug by Jonas Lie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fisherman and the Draug?
- How does this short story by Jonas Lie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Secret Of Kralitz by Henry Kuttner
- Jack Of Sjoholm And The Gan Finn by Jonas Lie
- The Charcoal Man And The King by James Baldwin
- The Wind Gnome by Jonas Lie
- Tug Of War by Jonas Lie
- The Return Of Yen Tchin King by Lafcadio Hearn
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The presence of supernatural elements, such as the Draug and the haunting atmosphere, aligns with Gothic themes.
- Tragedy — The narrative explores themes of loss, despair, and the tragic fate of the protagonist and his family.
- Adventure — The story involves a perilous sea voyage and the challenges faced by the fisherman and his family.
- Folklore — The incorporation of local legends and mythical creatures reflects the characteristics of folklore.
Tags
Folklore · Norse Mythology · Viking Legend · Fisherman's Tale · Draugr · Supernatural · Fantasy · Adventure · Mythical Creature · Sea Monster · Norwegian Folklore · Maritime Fiction