Madness and suicide by the open sea

August Strindberg (who died in 1912) is often regarded as the greatest Swedish writer ever. He was certainly one of the most succesful. His main works have been translated to the major European languages, including English. Some of his works have even been translated to more obscure languages like Lithuanian, Hungarian or the artificial language Esperanto. In Sweden, his works are readily available in public libraries. Personally, however, I have only read two of his novels and one of his theater plays. I can't say I'm exactly thrilled. But then, I hate to read something just to look "intellectual". And here in Sweden, all "intellectuals" presumably read Strindberg, Schopenhauer and Dostoyevsky.

"By the Open Sea" is an English translation of Strindberg's novel "I havsbandet", originally published in 1890. Translating Strindberg to English must be a real attitude test, and since I've never read this translation, I can't vouch for it. I've only read the Swedish original, and that too was tough.

"I havsbandet" is often described as a Nietzschean novel. Indeed, the main character, a government bureaucrat named Borg, does regard himself as a Nietzschean Übermensch or Superman, and despises the rest of humanity. Borg is sent to a small island in the Stockholm Archipelago, Österskär, to aid the fishermen in developing new technologies and fishing methods. He also helps them build new and better houses. However, the islanders turn out to be primitive, stupid and superstitious. They simply don't want to be helped. Even when Borg saves them from a famine, they still remain ungrateful. And when Borg shows them one of his inventions, they interpret it religiously and start an evangelical revival! Finally, Borg experieces a mental break-down, becomes insane and commits suicide by steering his small boat out onto the open sea. Symbolically, the suicide takes place on Christmas Eve, the day the weakling god of weakling men, Jesus, is celebrated. By contrast, Borg steers his tiny vessel in the direction of the star constellation of Hercules, a much better and heathen god, according to Strindberg. Most people who've read this novel strongly suspect that "Borg" is actually Strindberg's alter ego. Indeed, Strindberg himself got a mental break-down and experienced a religious crisis shortly after the novel was published. Incidentally, Nietzsche himself ended up at a mental asylum.

The message of this novel is a pessimistic one. Borg may be a Superman, but he is nevertheless broken by the mediocrity and stupidity of the sub-humans. In the end, more or less voluntary self-destruction becomes the only option for those who have managed to rise above the herd. The fate of the Übermensch is ultimately a tragic one.

Fair enough, but then what?