Johannes V. Jensen

1.1. Early years

Johannes Vilhelm Jensen was born on 20 January 1873, in Farsø, a village located in North Jutland, Denmark. He grew up in a rural environment, as the son of a veterinary surgeon. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in reading and developed a deep appreciation for nature and the life of Danish farmers. His early education was primarily conducted at home by his mother and a private tutor, before he attended the Cathedral School in Viborg, from which he graduated in 1893.

1.2. Education and early career

Jensen pursued studies in medicine at the University of Copenhagen. To finance his education, he worked as a writer and journalist, even writing detective stories under the pseudonym Ivar Lucke. After three years of medical studies, he decided to abandon his medical career and dedicate himself entirely to literature, a decision that marked the beginning of his prolific literary journey.

1.3. Travels

Jensen was an extensive traveler, much like his compatriot Hans Christian Andersen. His journeys across the globe significantly influenced his worldview and literary output. He traveled to the United States, a trip that inspired his well-known poem "Paa Memphis Station" (At the train station, Memphis, Tennessee). His travels also took him to major European cities such as Paris, London, and Berlin, as well as to Norway and Sweden. He visited American cities like Chicago and New York. Furthermore, his world tour included a stop in Japan in 1906, which inspired his myth "Mount Fuji." He also worked as a correspondent in places like the United States, Spain, and Paris, gathering impressions that he later incorporated into his writings.

2.1. Early Works and Influences

Jensen's initial phase as an author was characterized by the prevalent fin-de-siècle pessimism. His career officially began with the publication of Himmerland Stories (Himmerlandshistorier), a series of tales published between 1898 and 1910. These stories were set in Himmerland, the region of Denmark where he was born, and recorded local folk legends. His first major literary achievement, often considered his masterpiece, was the historical novel Kongens Fald (translated into English as The Fall of the King), written between 1900 and 1901.

Jensen's early works and developing style were significantly shaped by several literary and philosophical figures. He was greatly influenced by the Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and the British writer Rudyard Kipling. The American poet Walt Whitman was also among the writers who had a profound impact on Jensen's literary vision.

2.2. Major Works

Jensen's most significant literary achievements demonstrate his innovative approach to form and his ambition in exploring grand themes.

2.2.3. The Long Journey

The Long Journey (Den lange rejse), an epic cycle of six novels written between 1908 and 1922, is often considered Jensen's main work in prose and a monumental achievement. This ambitious work presents a daring and impressive attempt to create a Darwinian alternative to the Biblical Genesis myth, tracing the process of human evolution from prehistoric times to the modern era. The narrative covers the development of mankind from the Ice Age through periods of migration and the Viking Age, culminating in the era of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America.

The six volumes of The Long Journey are:

• Den tabte land (The Lost Land), published in 1919
• Bræen (The Glacier), published in 1908
• Norne Gæst (The Guest Norne), published in 1919
• Cimbrernes tog (The Cimbrians' Journey), published in 1922
• Skibet (The Ship), published in 1912
• Christofer Columbus (Christopher Columbus), published in 1922

In this work, Jensen scientifically describes human evolution, drawing upon his unique interpretation of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. He integrated knowledge from various scientific fields, including geology, anthropology, archaeology, and ethnology. The narrative also incorporates his childhood memories and impressions gathered from his extensive travels, weaving them into a rich cultural, historical, and poetic tapestry.

2.3. Literary Style and Themes

Johannes V. Jensen's writing style is characterized by its directness, conciseness, and rich imagery. He was a master of standard, succinct, and imaginative language, which contributed to his reputation as a pioneering figure in Danish modernism. His works frequently explored profound themes, including evolution, anthropology, the philosophy of evolution, mythology, and the broader human condition. He often focused on pioneering individuals within the context of mankind's development.

2.4. Influences on Jensen

Jensen's literary and intellectual development was shaped by a variety of significant figures. Beyond Walt Whitman, Knut Hamsun, and Rudyard Kipling, he is also compared to authors such as Carl Sandburg, Sigrid Undset, and Thomas Mann. These comparisons highlight his diverse influences and his ability to combine the outlook of a regional writer with the perspective of a modern academic and scientific observer. Jensen's engagement with these diverse influences allowed him to forge a distinctive literary voice that blended traditional storytelling with contemporary scientific and philosophical thought.

3.1. Evolutionary Theories and Social Darwinism

Jensen developed a profound interest in evolutionary biology, particularly the theories of Charles Darwin. In his later years, he concentrated on ambitious biological and zoological studies. His aim was to formulate a new ethical system based on Darwinian principles, often incorporating elements of social Darwinism. He sought to understand and interpret human development through a scientific lens, attempting to provide a comprehensive framework for human history and morality.

3.2. Racial Theories and Controversies

Jensen's engagement with racial theories proved to be a controversial aspect of his intellectual life, significantly damaging his reputation. While he was a reckless polemicist and his theories were dubious, he never showed any obvious fascist leanings. Despite the criticism, his literary contributions remained highly regarded, though the controversies surrounding his racial views continue to be a subject of discussion in the assessment of his legacy.

4.1. Journalism Career

Jensen had a long-standing involvement in journalism, contributing numerous articles and chronicles to the daily press throughout his career. Although he was a prolific writer for newspapers, he never formally joined the staff of any single publication. His journalistic endeavors also included working as a correspondent in various international locations, such as the United States, Spain, and Paris, which provided him with diverse experiences and insights that often found their way into his literary works.

4.2. Public Stance and Polemics

Jensen earned a reputation as a fierce polemicist, actively participating in public debates with a critical and often provocative stance. His willingness to engage in intellectual combat and his outspoken opinions made him a controversial figure in Danish cultural life. This aspect of his public persona, combined with his sometimes contentious theories, contributed to the complex perception of his character and work.

5.1. Award and Citation

In 1944, Johannes V. Jensen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The official citation commended him "for the rare strength and fertility of his poetic imagination with which is combined an intellectual curiosity of wide scope and a bold, freshly creative style." Due to World War II, the award ceremony was delayed and eventually took place in Stockholm on 10 December 1945. During the ceremony, Anders Österling, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, delivered a commendation speech. He praised Jensen, stating, "This child of the dry and windy moors of Jutland has, almost out of spite, astonished his contemporaries by a remarkably prolific production. He could well be considered one of the most fertile Scandinavian writers. He has constructed a vast and imposing literary œuvre, comprising the most diverse genres: epic and lyric, imaginative and realistic works, as well as historical and philosophical essays, not to mention his scientific excursions in all directions."

5.2. Nominations

Jensen had a long history of nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature, reflecting sustained recognition of his literary merit. He was nominated on 53 occasions, with his first nomination occurring in 1925. From 1931 until his eventual win in 1944, he was nominated every single year, underscoring his consistent presence in the considerations of the Swedish Academy.

6.1. Family and Relationships

Johannes V. Jensen was one of several siblings. His sister, Thit Jensen, was also a well-known writer in her own right. Thit Jensen was a vocal and occasionally controversial early feminist, advocating for women's rights and social change. Her own literary career and activism made her a prominent figure alongside her brother.

Johannes V. Jensen married Jenny Andersen in 1896. However, this marriage later ended in separation. In 1900, he married Edith Nebelong, with whom he shared a significant portion of his life.

7.1. Scientific Studies

After 1920, much of Jensen's most popular literary work had already been completed. In his later years, he increasingly concentrated on ambitious biological and zoological studies. His primary goal in these scientific endeavors was to develop new ethical frameworks, particularly those based on Darwinian ideas. This period marked a deeper engagement with the scientific underpinnings of his earlier works, as he sought to formalize his philosophical interpretations of evolution.

7.2. Renewal of Classical Poetry

Alongside his scientific pursuits, Jensen also harbored aspirations to renew classical poetry. He dedicated efforts to revitalize traditional poetic forms and styles through his writings and studies, seeking to imbue them with contemporary relevance and his distinctive intellectual approach. This dual focus on scientific inquiry and poetic renewal characterized the final decades of his career.

8.1. Assessment of Contributions

Jensen is widely considered the father of Danish modernism, particularly for his pioneering role in introducing the prose poem and his advocacy for a direct and straightforward language in poetry. His contributions to national literature are foundational, and he is often lauded as one of the great Danish writers of the 20th century. His extensive and imposing literary œuvre comprises diverse genres, including epic and lyric works, imaginative and realistic narratives, as well as historical and philosophical essays.

8.2. Positive Reception

Jensen's innovative use of language and form has garnered significant positive reception. His major works, such as The Fall of the King, have been widely praised and recognized for their profound impact on Danish literature. He is often compared to other literary giants like Knut Hamsun, Sigrid Undset, and Thomas Mann for the richness of his career and the rare strength of his poetic imagination, combined with intellectual curiosity and a bold, creative style. His direct influence on Danish literature was felt as late as the 1960s, shaping subsequent generations of writers.

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8.3. Criticism and Controversy

Despite his literary accolades, Jensen was a controversial figure in Danish cultural life. His reputation was significantly damaged by his reckless polemical style and, more notably, by his dubious racial theories. While these theories attracted considerable criticism, it is important to note that he never displayed any obvious fascist leanings. The controversies surrounding his intellectual positions continue to be a part of the critical assessment of his legacy.

8.4. Influence on Later Generations

Jensen's distinctive literary style, thematic concerns, and intellectual contributions left a lasting impact on subsequent generations of writers and the broader literary landscape of Scandinavia. He effectively combined the outlook of a regional writer, deeply rooted in the Danish landscape and culture, with the perspective of a modern academic and scientific observer. This unique blend influenced many who followed, solidifying his position as a pivotal figure in the development of modern Danish literature.

8.5. Commemoration

Johannes V. Jensen's life and work have been commemorated in various ways. Johannes V. Jensen Land in Northern Greenland was named in his honor, a testament to his exploration and scientific interests. He also initiated the 'Museumcentre Aars' in the town of Aars in Himmerland, his birthplace. Furthermore, Jensen was known for experimenting with the form of his writing; in a letter sent to publisher Ernst Bojesen in December 1900, he included both a happy and sad face, predating the more recognizable modern smiley design.

9.1. Major Works

9.2. Works in English

• The Long Journey, vol 1-3, (Fire and Ice; The Cimbrians; Christopher Columbus) New York, 1924.
• The Fall of the King, 1933.
• The Waving Rye, translated by R. Bathgate, 1959.