League of Youth 1869

League of Youth

1869

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From Act IV

STENSGÅRD.
You were just complaining how hard it was being a widow.

MADAM.
You should just try it, Mr. Stensgård.

STENSGÅRD.
But if a nice young man were to come along – who’s always been secretly in love with you …

MADAM.
Now look here, that’s quite enough of that.

Transl. by Peter Watts.

The ambitious young solicitor Stensgård plans a personal political coup in a Norwegian small town. On May 17^th, Constitution Day, he makes a rousing speech announcing his new political party, the League of Youth. In his speech he accuses the local iron mill owner Bratsberg. Bratsberg hears the speech and thinks it is aimed at his adversary; he is excited and invites Stensgård to his house. Stensgård misunderstands his generosity, and when he makes his excuse, Bratsberg finally gets it and shows him the door. Stensgård has been making advances to both Bratsberg’s daughter Tora and Ragna Monsen, the daughter of his adversary. When Bratsberg’s son Erik turns out to be involved with Monsen in an economic scandal, Stensgård chooses to shift his attention to the wealthy widow Mrs Rundholmen. Stensgård is exposed as a fortune hunter and has to leave town, meanwhile all his prospective marriage partners have found new suitors.

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