Jæger, Frank

(1926-1977)

   A Danish poet, novelist, short story writer, and essayist, Jæger kept himself aloof from the social engagement of most of his contemporary writers and devoted himself to personal themes. Jæger's early poetry is marked by the lyricism of his volumes Dydige Digte (1948; Virtuous Poems), Morgenens Trompet (1949; The Morning's Trumpet), and De 5 aarstider (1950; The Five Seasons). The poems in Tyren (1953; The Bull) focus on the erotic and the absurdities of life. His later poetry, such as that found in Idylia (1967), presents the erotic as a significant danger.

   The fun-loving Jæger is present in the supposedly autobiographical narrative Den unge Jægers lidelser (1953; The Sufferings of Young Jæger), the title of which is a pun on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Die Leiden des Jungen Werther (1774; tr. The Sorrows of Young Werther, 1775). Jæger's playfulness also marks his briefnovel Iners (1950) and the short stories in Hverdagshistorier (1951; Everyday Stories). He fully embraces realism, however, in a story of the life of Joan of Arc, Jomfruen fra Orleans (1955; The Maid of Orleans), as well as in the stories in Kapellanen og andre fortællinger (1957; The Curate and Other Stories). In the three narratives in Danskere (1966; Danes), as well as in the book Døden i skoven (1970; Death in the Forest), realism is combined with humor, satire, and a sense of the fantastic.

   Jæger also wrote numerous essays, which were published in such collections as Velkommen, Vinter og andre essays (1958; Welcome, Winter, and Other Essays), Drømmen om en sommerdag (1965; The Dream of a Summer Day), and Naive rejser (1968; Naive Journeys). Volumes of essays mixed with short stories are Alvilda: Sengelæsningfor Unge og Gamle (1969; Alvilda: Bedtime Reading for Young and Old) and Udsigt til Kronborg: Sængelesning (1976; A View of Kronborg: Bedtime Reading). Taken together, these books constitute a celebration of the uncomplicated aspects of life and show that Jæger was largely at peace with himself and with existence. Jæger also wrote radio plays.