Personal Change

Håkan’s character arc is defined by drastic personal changes necessitated by extreme, unforeseen circumstances, and through this character arc, the narrative demonstrates how fundamental personal changes can even coincide with distinct consistencies in identity. At the beginning of the narrative, young Håkan is portrayed as generally meek and gentle, occupying a place of love and loyalty among his family. Håkan, having been raised on an isolated farm, is in certain ways sheltered from certain harsh possibilities of human action. Thus when Håkan and Linus must suddenly set forth together to escape famine and travel to America, Håkan has the bearing of a meek child. This characterization is especially apparent in the moment when Håkan becomes separated from Linus: “His brother was gone…He got on a crate, short-breathed and trembling, screamed his brother’s name, and looked down...