Identifier: auguststrindberg00lind (find matches)
Title: August Strindberg : the spirit of revolt : studies and impressions
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Lind-af-Hageby, L. (Lizzy), 1878-1963
Subjects: Strindberg, August, 1849-1912
Publisher: London : Stanley Paul
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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overcome. Augusts plans for the future were vacillat-ing and embarrassing to the father. For ashort time he cherished the idea of becominga non-commissioned officer in a cavalry regi-ment, at another time the plan of spendinghis days as a country curate, joined in happywedlock to a pretty waitress (a brand snatchedfrom the fire), had captivated him. But theUniversity conquered. At the University aman could be poor and badly dressed and yetbe counted a gentleman ; it was the onlyplace where one could sing, get drunk and havefights with the police without losing socialstanding. There was a secret satisfaction in the thought. One day during the tutorage in the countrythe vicar, who was overworked, invitedAugust to preach a proof-sermon. Thepractice of permitting serious-minded studentsand undergraduates to try their priestlypowers was not uncommon. The idea wasglorious and irresistible. The baron, thebaroness, the squires and the ladies would allhave to listen reverently to August as the
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STRUGGLE WITH ENVIRONMENT 49 mouthpiece of the Lord. But he rememberedthat he was a freethinker. The orthodox con-ception of Jesus was no longer his. It washypocrisy to accept the offer. And yet, hebelieved in God, he had thoughts to give,opinions he wanted to voice. He confessed tothe vicar, who reassured him. If he believedin God, there was no real difficulty—the goodBishop Wallin had never mentioned Jesus inhis sermons. August should only not talktoo much about his aberrations. The week during which the sermon wasprepared, was rich in compensation for yearsof ignominy. Something within him re-sponded with avidity to the call of the mes-senger, the prophet. The church was filled with people whenAugust mounted the pulpit in clerical garband with a beating heart. He prayed to theonly true God to help him when now hewanted to strike a blow for truth. He spokeof conversion through free will and openedthe gates of heaven to all—publicans andsinners, rulers and harlots—and denounced

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