The impact of border crossing as a narrative device: The case of þættir

Abstract

Although there are many different types of þættir, the motif of border crossing figures as an important narrative feature in the most of them. In my paper, I discussed who crosses the border in the different types of þættir, what kind of border it is and what happens behind the border.

I argued that the narrative structure of Old Norse þættir is similar to the one found in modern stories of initiation.

Keywords

• border crossing
• liminal experience
• narrative device
• Old Norse þættir