The wolf as an icon of wildness : romanticization and demonization

Abstract

Wolves have been demonized and romanticized, feared and admired, figuring as barbaric intruders in some cultures and as kindred spirits in others. This thesis explores what wolves symbolize for different social groups in Norwegian cultural narratives. Through analysis of myths, legends, novels, music and film, the wolf is shown to be a key symbol that contributes to shaping cultural codes, while so-called wolfish behaviour is often human behaviour projected onto wolves. Demonization and fear of wolves are traced back to superstition, folk lore and Christian morality, while romanticization is linked to environmentalism and longing to reconnect with primal nature. Finally, ecological knowledge is shown to be a corrective to narratives of demonization and romanticization in the current wolf debate.