“But for them to idolize him they must first believe he was saving them, and for them to be saved he had to first convince them of their evil; the need for forgiveness, for grace, was predicated on the belief in sin, and her father was a merchant like any other, but his trade was the worse for teaching people to despise themselves.”
The statement examines the complex dynamics of belief, redemption, and guilt while focusing on Willa's thoughts. Biettar shares a story with Willa expressing the solace he found in her father's teachings after losing his herd. It evokes empathy from Willa even though she is conflicted about her father's influence on people like Biettar. The central idea here is that the belief in sin and the need for forgiveness create a cycle where individuals are made to despise themselves. Willa struggles with the fact that her father shapes this narrative of demanding self-hatred to attain salvation. Moreover, Willa is frustrated with her father's hypocritical stance. In that, he forbids idolization yet he craves admiration and molds people's beliefs to fit his agenda. Henceforth, it weighs heavily on Willa, which leaves her resentful towards her father's teachings.
"The sight of the sea brought the same relief it always had."
The narrator describes the joy that the characters, particularly Risten, experience upon reaching the sea and their island. It represents a place of rejuvenation for both the reindeer and the people. The description of the reindeer swimming across the bay to the island—shedding the bothersome pests and embracing the refreshing sea—induces a feeling of liberation. Risten finds happiness in witnessing the reindeer's delight and experiencing the beauty of the landscape. The ocean becomes a metaphor for salvation emphasizing the profound effect it has on their outlook on life. However, Mikkol's reference to the church juxtaposes the serenity offered by the sea and the potential encroachment of religious matters. Risten, initially enjoying her peaceful moment by the water, faces a moment of tension as the topic shifts to matters of faith.
"He was depressed, profoundly, even when Risten and Mikkol invited him to stay with them in their lávvu nearby, even when he got there and sat with Risten’s father and smoked with him, and even when Nilsa, to his own surprise, was not rude to him, and did not ignore him."
The narrator addresses Biettar's emotional state following the confrontation and subsequent dissolution of a fight. He faced humiliation with his expectations shattered regarding how the people would react to his sermon. His initial hopes of being a transformative figure akin to Laestadius were dashed. The statement illustrates the toll the incident has taken on his psyche. Despite attempts by others to extend kindness, Biettar remains deeply affected by the events. However, the mention of Willa provides a glimmer of hope for Biettar. Seeing her seems to offer him a sense of purpose to something larger, reminding him of a higher calling. Despite his struggles, the presence of certain individuals hints at a possibility of renewed determination.
