The Moomins

The Nordic region and the literature that represents it have not always been preoccupied with murder mysteries. In fact, Tove Jansson’s series of books, The Moomins (1945-1970), targets the child audience to develop an understanding of the Moomin family and how they work together to solve any problems that may arise throughout the plot. The sense of morality that is present within these books result in an echo of the values that are now popularly deemed as a nod towards the hygge mentality.

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In a bid to steer my research to hygge and its ideals predating the 2016 internet fad of books, blogs and newspapers publishing advice for how to achieve happiness, I look at the children’s books that would have inspired the, now adult, Scandinavian generation. From Jansson’s series, I have chosen to take a look at the illustrations in, Moominsummer Madness (1955). This book was particularly attractive in its inclusion of biblical morality – a sudden flood in Moominvalley leaves the Moomin family rebuilding their home and lives from scratch.

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Surprisingly, the flood does not prevent the Moomin’s from keeping together as a family as they use the strengths of one another to survive. This sense of support and community is shown in several instances within the novel whereby the family are actively working together to access food, sitting down for a meal, or even sharing each other’s company over a cup of tea. Teacups are frequently seen in Jansson’s illustrations and are a referral to what the Scandi’s deem as essential materialistic components in their lives. In some ways this explains the hygge obsession for relaxing with a hot drink and taking a moment’s relaxation – a cup of tea enables the Moomin’s to think about what is going on and offers them stability in their uncertain situation.

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In my initial post on the definition of hygge it is suggested by Meik Wiking that hygge is about a sense of togetherness – ‘being with the people we love’ and ‘a feeling that we are home’. These values, whilst becoming fashionable in the growth and awareness of hygge, are values that have been instilled in Scandinavian’s for a length of time that outdates the hygge craze. A sense of togetherness has become part of the fabric of being from the Nordic region. 

Works Cited

Jansson, Tove, and Thomas Warburton. Moominsummer Madness. 4^TH ed. London: Puffin Books, Penguin Group, 2012. Print.

Wiking, Meik. The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well. 1^st ed. Penguin Life, 2016. Print.