The NORN project seeks to explore how romantic nationalism in nineteenth-century Norwegian literature influenced the nation’s cultural identity, focusing on both emotional and ideological aspects. Taking Norway as its primary case study, NORN employs innovative approaches to understand how literary works have harnessed collective emotions related to nationalism, shaping societal narratives that persist to this day.
Romantic nationalism typically uses literature and the arts to foster national identity. Traditionally, this has led to a narrative that promotes a singular national vision, often sidelining minority perspectives. In Norway’s case, romantic nationalism emerged as part of the nation-building process during the nineteenth century that led to political independence in 1905. This history is integral to NORN's investigation, which comprehensively analyzes literary works from this period through both qualitative and quantitative methods.
NORN aims to achieve three main objectives: firstly, to remap the entire range of nineteenth-century Norwegian literature using machine learning, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the literary landscape; secondly, to critically reassess the way Norwegian literary history has been recorded, scrutinizing the romantic nationalist framework that shaped it; and thirdly, to redefine perceptions of Henrik Ibsen’s work and his extended relationship with romantic nationalism. Ibsen stands out as one of Norway’s most influential writers, yet his early focus on romantic nationalism is often overlooked in favor of the more recognized modern periods of his career.
By merging literary analysis, affect theory, cultural studies, and computational approaches, NORN seeks to reveal the emotional and ideological undertones within literary texts that have influenced Norwegian national identity. This endeavor promises to reshape how Norwegian literary narratives are perceived, challenging established periodization and canonization while fostering inclusivity in cultural histories. Integrating social sciences and humanities, NORN provides valuable perspectives on nationalism's impact on literature and heritage, offering significant implications for Norwegian and broader European contexts.
