Auf Gottes Wegen

''Auf Gottes Wegen'' by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores the lives of young boys navigating adolescence, morality, and the pressures of society. Central to the story are two characters, Edvard Kallem and Ole Tuft, as they grapple with friendship, identity, and the expectations placed upon them by family and peers. The opening of the novel introduces Edvard Kallem, a fourteen-year-old boy who finds himself deep in thought while observing the aftermath of a violent storm. As he contemplates the chaos around him, he is consumed with anxiety and a sense of foreboding, triggered in part by a lay preacher's apocalyptic prophecies. As he struggles with his fears, he encounters Ole Tuft, a boy determined to become a missionary and help those in need, particularly the sick. Their interactions reveal Edvard's initial skepticism but gradually shift towards understanding Ole's noble aspirations. As the boys discuss Ole's mission to care for the townspeople, the narrative begins to portray themes of empathy, community responsibility, and the innocence of youth against the backdrop of societal expectations.