Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, in his study of Björnson, in _Adventures in Criticism_[41] divides his writings into three periods which he calls “simplicity, confusion and dire confusion.” The first group of tales are those of idyllic type, already considered in _Arne_ and _A Happy Boy_; the second represent a transition towards the realistic and self-conscious, exampled in _The Fisher Maiden_ and _Magnhild_; the third, showing more complications of thought and style, are like _The Heritage of the Kurts_ (originally entitled _Flags Are Flying_) and _In God’s Way_. The influence of German and French realists may be traced in these later novels, especially the former with its portrayal of polygamous conditions. Other critics consider _Magnhild_ an advance in characterization over any previous fiction by Björnson, especially in the musician Tande and the relationship between him and Magnhild. If the author intends to show that a woman may be happy in other ways than love, he does not “get the message over” until it is interpreted by Mr. Brandes or other critics. Rationalism mingles with idealism in the first scenes of _In God’s Way_. As the years passed, Björnson traveled on the continent, in England and to America for a visit in 1881. He sharpened his outlook upon life but he never lost his “passion for truth,” his hatred of oppression in any form, his belief that individuals and nations might be joined by friendship rather than separated by antagonisms. He was deeply impressed by certain forms of hypocrisy which he witnessed in Norway and he attacked such abuses in the problem plays, _The King_, _The Editor_, and _The Bankrupt_. Unlike the traditional patriot who says, “My country--right or wrong--but my country!” Björnson adopted as his slogan, “Norway must be right at all cost!” His plays, which revealed innate evils, made him unpopular with politicians and brought about threats of violence. He used to tell, with humor, of the visit of some aggressive opponents among the young men who threw stones at his windows but went away singing the refrain of his National Song, Yes, we love this land that towers, etc.