That Knut Hamsun has grown steadily in literary skill, that he has written novels of vigor and photographic effects, cannot be denied. That he has a philosophical attitude towards humanity and the driving forces behind society (especially as applied to Norway), is also evident. His self-education, his persistence, and his assimilated judgment, together with caustic wit and grotesque humor, are other qualities that must be accounted to his credit. On the other hand, he is often slothful and diffuse in structure and offensive to æsthetic minds because of his stress of sexual impulses and his coarseness. He does not condone immorality but he seems indifferent to its existence. In his personal convictions, however, he realizes the need of a basic morality. Says Professor Wiehr: “It is just this absence of ‘the triumph of a moral idea’ which will stand most in the way of any popularity of Hamsun’s works with the great majority of American readers.” Other explanations of Hamsun’s attitude towards Christianity and “constructive ideas” are given in this excellent study by Professor Wiehr.[135] He thinks that his countrymen, and “all backward nations,” are in a much better position to follow his advice than the millions that populate the countries leading the world in industries. Some critics affirm that Hamsun’s compatriot, Johan Boyer, in his condensed, dramatic novels, _The Great Hunger_, _The Last of the Vikings_, _A Pilgrimage_, and _The Emigrants_ is more gifted as a novelist and shows more evidences of idealistic vision. In his personal life, Hamsun has revealed the traits of the wanderer, “vagabond” if you will, combined with the deep-rooted love of home and devotion to his countrymen in their industrial needs and their educational struggles. He is not an optimist but he advocates persistent work and the preservation of spiritual freedom and courage. FOOTNOTES: [125] Inscription with the Nobel Prize Award in Literature, 1920. [126] _Knut Hamsun: His Personality and His Outlook upon Life_ by Josef Wiehr, _Smith College Studies in Modern Languages_, Vol. III, Nos. 1 and 2, pp. 2, 3. [127] _Literary Digest_ 67: 35, November 20, 1920. [128] _Knut Hamsun: A Study_ by Hanna Arstrup Larsen, Knopf, New York, 1922. [129] _Ibid._, p. 19. [130] _Knut Hamsun: His Personality and His Outlook upon Life_, Northampton, 1922. [131] Introduction to _Hunger_ by Knut Hamsun, translated by Edwin Björkman, New York, 1920. By permission of Alfred A. Knopf. [132] _Knut Hamsun: His Personality and His Outlook upon Life_ by Josef Wiehr, Northampton, 1922, pp. 8, 9. By permission of Prof. Wiehr. [133] Introduction to _Hunger_, translated by Edwin Björkman. [134] _Hunger_, translated by George Egerton, New York, 1920. By permission of Alfred A. Knopf. [135] _Knut Hamsun: His Personality and His Outlook upon Life_ by Josef Wiehr, Northampton, 1922. CHAPTER XIV ANATOLE FRANCE--VERSATILE STYLIST IN FICTION AND ESSAYS The prize of 1921 has been awarded: