Release date is 2016-03-17

E-text prepared by Jari Koivisto

"Friaren från landet: Lustspel" by Johan Ludvig Runeberg is a comedic play written in the early 19th century. Set against a backdrop of societal norms and expectations, the work explores the humorous dynamics of love, marriage, and the clash between rural and urban lifestyles. The narrative revolves around an uncle who intends to move to his country estate, much to the confusion and dismay of his niece, Emelie, who is caught in the emotional turmoil of an impending arranged marriage. The play unfolds as the uncle, disillusioned with urban life, decides to move to the countryside, believing that happiness and peace await him there. Emelie, who is reluctantly engaged to a much older landowner, grapples with her feelings for August, a young student who offers her a glimpse of true love. The comedic tension arises from misunderstandings, subterfuge, and the contrast between the characters' social aspirations and their actual desires. As Emelie and her maid Katrine conspire to navigate their predicament, the play humorously explores themes of identity, social class, and the search for genuine connection, culminating in a resolution that highlights the absurdities of societal expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Original publication data not identified