Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath Quiz

Answer: An elf (or dwarf) maiden

Undset's novel is set during a time when pagan beliefs and superstitions still existed in Norway alongside the newly-brought Christian religion. Thus, Kristin's encounter with the creature, called both an elf and a dwarf in the story, is taken seriously and not written off as a figment of her imagination. Fru Aashild points out that Kristin could have tricked the maiden out of her golden crown if she (Kristin) had been thinking clearly.

Answer: She's crippled.

Lavrans and Ragnfrid decide to give her to a convent because they think a cripple won't make a good marriage match. A priest remarks to Kristin that these days, it seems that only the crippled, ugly, and those unwanted by their parents go to God.

Answer: Bentein

She fights him off with rocks and her hands. Bentein's mother Gunhild heals her wounds, but partially blames her for the attack.

Answer: Bentein stabs him to death.

Arne and Bentein get into a fight after drinking; a bishop has Bentein excommunicated. Arne's mother Inga blames Kristin for Arne's death, claiming that she allowed Arne and Bentein to take liberties with her.

Answer: She doesn't think she can leave the material world behind.

Kristin believes that, if she gives herself to God, then God will work a miracle and cure Ulvhild of her lameness. In the end, Kristin knows she doesn't love the spiritual world that much, nor does she want to forsake the physical world, so she convinces herself that joining a convent won't make any difference to Ulvhild's health.

Answer: Edvin

She tells him that she cannot marry Simon because of her love for Erlend. He says he cannot absolve her of sin, but advises her nonetheless. From him, she sees that going against her parents' wishes is as big a sin as adultery with Erlend. Edvin once nearly killed a man sent to stop him from building a church.

Answer: Erlend has nothing to give Kristin for marrying him.

Lavrans also considers Erlend beneath Kristin. Erlend gives Kristin sufficient lands as wedding gifts, and she will be mistress of his manor at Husaby. Lavrans eventually does give consent for their marriage.

Answer: The church

She believes that the church burns as punishment for her sins; another character chides her for thinking that her sin was so important that God would punish her by burning a house of worship. Kristin also believes that the trauma of seeing the fire could have a negative effect on her unborn child.

Answer: True

She and Erlend meet secretly many times before she becomes pregnant. After the first time they have sex, Erlend says that he will marry her to keep her honorable, but it takes a long time to convince Lavrans to consent to the marriage. Kristen hopes that no one, especially her parents, will find out that she was pregnant before marriage.

Answer: Take her wreath to God and become a nun

Edvin tells Kristin that he hoped she would bring her wreath to God by becoming a nun. Kristin wears the bridal wreath of her family--a gold crown set with crystals. She feels guilty for wearing it when she's not a virgin and should be wearing a wimple to cover her hair. Even on her wedding day, she doesn't seem happy.