This thesis purpose is to analyse the purpose and use of religious motifs, with a focus on Lutheran faith and elements of the ideal of the passive woman in Sweden during the 17^th century, in three novels written by Selma Lagerlöf. The three novels are “Tösen från Stormyrtorpet”, ”Legenden om Julrosorna” and “Gudsfreden”. Neither of them have a lot written about them therefore other sources has been used.

The first part consists of an introduction to Lutheran faith and values, based on Vägen mellan himmel och jord: underströmmar av luthersk livsförståelse i Selma Lagerlöfs författarskap by Margareta Brandby-Cöster. As well as a short summary of the religious landscape of Sweden during the 17^th century, the female emancipation movements relation and its negative view on passive female ideal. The first part will also contain a brief summary of how Christianity and the industrialisation has affected the male image.

The second part is the analysis of the three novels where the first one is “Tösen från Stormyrtorpet”. The focus will be to explore how Lutheran values are expressed in the story as well as how the female protagonist Helga is used to reveal problems in society and its view on women related to religious values. In “Legenden om Julrosorna” I look at the how Lutheran values are expressed especially the thought of love for the other and the belief that you need to be part of society to live in the world created by God for humans.

In the third novel “Gudsfreden” I will examine what male identities are constructed and expressed as well as the consequences of a “Christian hero” putting himself above God. In the third and final part I will connect my thesis to the subject of Swedish with a focus on upper secondary school. I will compare it to the curriculum and discuss the importance of exploring themes in literature.