The Polar Bear Conspiracy. The Narrative Voice and Strategies of Silence in ›Brands þáttr örva‹, ›Þorsteins þáttr uxafóts‹, and ›Sneglu-Halla þáttr‹

Abstract

This article focuses on the silence of the narrative voice and of silent char­acters, as well as the consequences this silencing has for the plot of saga narratives. By analysing three Old Norse short stories (þættir), it can be shown how the narrative voice uses silence to steer the audience’s attention and to enhance its enjoyment of the narrative. Silence is only noticeable when the narrative voice leaves gaps unex­plained or describes an episode differently than the characters do. Silence appears on different narrative levels and is employed through various voices. It is thus not a phenomenon restricted to modern works, but can also be identified in premodern texts as a way to direct the audience’s attention.