Land Of The Midnight Sun Analysis

Land of the Midnight Sun

Although Norway is a country sometimes mistaken for a frozen wasteland, this “Land of the Midnight Sun” is more than that. The combination of culture, cuisine, and animals gives this land a unique personality. Norway is located in northern Europe, bordered by Finland, Switzerland, and Russia (Evensberget). The entire population of Norway is 5,136,700 as of 2013. The capital is Oslo, with a population of approximately 630,000.

According to mythology, in the beginning the world was nothing but chaos, consisting of the freezing cold, strong winds, and scorching fire. The only thing that existed was the “yawning chasm” called Musoellheim. The only beings were the gods, and giants; one of the giants was Ymir. Ymir was born and used to make the world, and each part of his body made a different aspect of the world (Daly and Marian). The sacred text Grimnismol tells of how “Out of Ymir's flesh was fashioned the earth, and the ocean out of his blood… of his bones the hills, of his hair the trees, of his skull the heavens high, Mithgarth… from his eyebrows made, and set for the sons of men; And out of his brain the baleful clouds they made to move on high” (GRIMNISMOL). This was the beginning of the world.

Several well-known Norse gods are seen in mythology. Odin, god of war, death, sky, and poetry was referred to by over 150 names, such as the “Alfodr” or “Father of the Gods”. He was usually personified as One-eyed, wearing an eagle helmet into battle, alongside his spear Gungnir. The birds sacred to him were ravens. He had several children, one of which being Thor. Thor was the son of Odin, god of thunder, lightning, and storms. His weapon was the hammer. Loki was thought to be the blood-brother of Odin. Known as...

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...n occasions call for certain dishes. Similar to the Fourth of July in the United States, Norway’s constitution day comes with hot dogs and ice cream. As with several other countries around the world, gingerbread men are a favorite around Christmas time. Several other popular foods in Norway include flatbread chips with cheese and fruit, Norwegian waffles, and fruit soup. Fruit soup is a dessert soup made with dry fruit and cinnamon. (Munsen)

One of the most famous desserts in Norway is the Blotkake. Blotkake is the most popular cake in all of Norway, made with sugar eggs, flour, potato flour or cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water, flavoring (Vanilla and lemon are common), frosting, and possibly a filling. Blotkake is commonly topped with fruit, such as strawberries, cherries, and kiwi. (Anne) (Munsen).

Overall, Norway makes for an exclusive country like no other.