The story from Selma Lagerlöf involves two medieval fugitives who meet and become close friends while hiding out in the Swedish wilderness. The men differ greatly in physique, confidence, class, religious belief and the seriousness of their crimes. One has murdered a monk; the other has admitted to stealing a fishing net. The only thing they have in common is that their charges arose because of manipulating women. To his ultimate cost, the murderer tries to help the fisherman (a pagan) by teaching him the fundamentals of Christianity. Themes: living in nature, mateship, culture, betrayal, religion, repentance, ‘justice’.
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