Miller, William Ian. Making a Scene: Chapters 34–5, 48

• Author: Miller, William Ian
• Title: Making a Scene: Chapters 34–5, 48
• Published in: Why Is Your Axe Bloody?: A Reading of Njáls Saga
• Place, Publisher: New York: Oxford University Press
• Year: 2014
• Pages: 49-61
• E-text:
• Reference: Miller, William Ian. Why Is Your Axe Bloody?: A Reading of Njáls Saga. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.

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Annotation

In this chapter Miller examines the concept of ‘tact’ in the saga, and characters’ failure in using it. He examines Þráinn‘s divorce from his wife and subsequent marriage proposal to þorgerðr as a lack of tact, and the feasts’ participants’ reactions to these. Miller also looks at Þórhalla, Bergþóra, and Hallgerðr’s reactions to the famous seating-arrangement scene and shows how each could have prevented the resulting feud. In addition, he also analyses Þórhalla’s special position at Njáll‘s household due to her father‘s importance. Finally, Miller looks at Gunnarr‘s slapping of Hallgerðr and the social awkwardness of that action.

See also

• Miller, William Ian. Why is Your Axe Bloody?
• Miller, William Ian. Njála’s Unity Problem and the Very Beginning: Chapter 1
• Miller, William Ian. Marriage Formation and Dissolution: Chapters 2–34
• Miller, William Ian. Looking Forward: Njal’s Prescience: Chapters 22–3
• Miller, William Ian. Bergthora vs. Hallgerd, Part I. The Theory: Chapters 35–45
• Miller, William Ian. Bergthora vs. Hallgerd, Part II: Some Facts
• Miller, William Ian. Otkel vs. Gunnar: Chapters 46–56
• Miller, William Ian. Gunnar vs. the Thrihyrning People: Chapters 57–66
• Miller, William Ian. The Two Thorgeirs and Death of Gunnar: Chapters 67–77
• Miller, William Ian. Revenge for Gunnar: Chapters 77–81
• Miller, William Ian. The Atlantic Interlude and Hrapp: Chapters 82–9
• Miller, William Ian. Setting up Thrain: Chapters 90–2
• Miller, William Ian. A Tale of Two Hoskulds: Chapters 93–9
• Miller, William Ian. Conversion and the Genius of the Law: Chapters 100–6
• Miller, William Ian. Valgard ‘the Wise’ and Hoskuld’s Blood: Chapters 107–16
• Miller, William Ian. Skarphedin Ascendans, Flosi’s Ninth Nights: Chapters 117–23
• Miller, William Ian. The Burning: Chapters 124–32
• Miller, William Ian. Preparation for the Next Althing: Chapters 132–7
• Miller, William Ian. The Trial of Flosi and the Battle: Chapters 135, 141–5
• Miller, William Ian. Kari and Friends: Chapters 145–55
• Miller, William Ian. How Not to End a Saga, Unless...: Chapters 146–59
• Miller, William Ian. A Conclusion: Justice and Exits

References

Chapter 35: Þú skalt þoka fyrir konu þessi.: „ Thorhalla is of such social and political importance to Njal’s household that Bergthora is not about to play gracious hostess to Hallgerd to defuse a tense situation.“ (p. ??).

Links

• Written by: Yoav Tirosh
• Icelandic translation: Andri M. Kristjánsson