Burial Rites

“I was worst to the one I loved best.”

This line from the Laxdaela Saga opens the book, summing up many of the themes within. Through the story, we see love turn into obsession, and family bonds devolve into cruelty.

“‘Good Lord,’ he muttered ‘They pick a mouse to tame a cat.’”

As Toti accepts his mission to talk to Agnes, a servant expresses skepticism. Toti’s youth and inexperience are mentioned frequently and cause many issues, but it is his fresh approach that eventually encourages Agnes to open up to him.

“How can I say what it was like to breathe again? I felt newborn. I staggered in the light of the world and took deep gulps of fresh sea air. It was late in the day: the wet mouth of the afternoon was full on my face. My soul blossomed in that brief moment as they led me out of doors. I fell, my skirts in the mud, and I turned my face upwards as if in prayer. I could have wept from the relief of light.”

Agnes has been imprisoned in darkness, abused for months at a time. Although she is still a prisoner, she takes joy in the experience of sunlight and fresh air. She feels as if she is born again, the first sign we see of her gentler nature.