Debts of Gratitude
by Selma Lagerlof
Selma Lagerlof imagines a conversation with her departed father while travelling to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. She reflects on the many people, experiences and influences to whom she owes gratitude, finally admitting that the world's recognition has created an even greater debt.
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- Setting: The speaker travels by train to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Memory: The journey makes her remember her father and the earlier stages of her life.
- Sources of Gratitude: Nature, literature, art, family, friends, readers and even critics contributed to her journey.
- Biggest Debt: She feels deeply indebted to the Swedish Academy for trusting and honouring her.
- Ending: Her imagined father's joyful response becomes the answer to her question about how gratitude can ever be repaid.
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The journey to Stockholm
Selma Lagerlof is travelling by train to Stockholm. Earlier journeys to Stockholm were connected with difficult tasks such as examinations, but this journey is different because she is going to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her happiness is mixed with memories of people who helped her.
Remembering her father and her debts
In her thoughts, Selma imagines speaking to her dead father. She recalls the influence of nature, literature and art and the support of friends and family. She is grateful not only to those who praised her but also to those who criticised her because both encouragement and criticism helped shape her.
The greatest debt
Selma explains that the honour given by the Swedish Academy is more than money or a title. By selecting her before the world, the Academy has shown trust in her. She wonders how she can repay such confidence and calls this her biggest debt.
The father's joyful answer
Her imagined father is moved to tears. Instead of trying to solve the impossible problem of repayment, he tells her that he is simply happy that she has received the Nobel Prize. Selma then turns to the audience and proposes a toast to the Swedish Academy.