Growth of the Soil

"Growth of the Soil" by Knut Hamsun is a story set in the early 1900s, about nature, being alone, and what it means to be human, focusing on the life of Isak, a regular, diligent man who wants to make a home for himself in the Norwegian wilderness. At the beginning of the story, Isak travels by himself across a large, untouched area, finally finding a place to settle and farm. He only has a few things with him, but he's very determined to be independent and connected to the land. As he starts building his life, he learns about the land around him, sees that it's good for farming, and starts habits that show his growing connection to the soil, as Hamsun's writing shows how nature's harshness contrasts with Isak's quiet strength, preparing us for the future of his character and the life he wants to create.