Debts of Gratitude penned by Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlof is an autobiographical work. It is actually a moving speech that she delivered while receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Here she is envisioning a meeting with her departed father and the conversation they have about her winning the Prize. She is quite grateful to all the people who have influenced her in one or the other and helped her become a renowned writer. During this imagiinary conversation with her father, she asks him how she can pay off the debts she owes her readers, friends and family.

You can watch a detailed Malayalam explanation of this chapter in this video

Side Questions and Answers

a. How did the speaker’s visit to Stockholm differ from her earlier visits?

On all the previous occasions, the speaker was in Stockholm to do something difficult like passing examinations. This time around, she was there to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.

b. How do you spend time when you go on a long journey?

When I go on long journeys, I usually spend time reading a book or looking at the sights outside.

c. I thought of my father and felt a deep sorrow.’ Why was she sad at the thought of her father?

She was sad at the thought of her father because her father was no more. If he had been alive, she could have told him that she had won the Nobel Prize for Literature and he would have been quite happy to hear it.

d. ‘The coaches no longer seemed to run on rails and sleepers but glide into space.’ Why does the speaker feel so?

The speaker was now beginning to day-dream. Most passengers inside her coach were dozing. She was also sitting very quietly thinking about her departed father. The train was also moving very smoothly. Soon she entered a dream like state and started feeling that the train was gliding into space.

e. What is your impression of the writer’s father?

The writer’s father must have been an avid reader. He encouraged his children to read. He told them stories. It also seems that he was quite affectionate and supporting.

f. ‘I have come to ask you for advice…’ What advice does the speaker request of her father?

The writer asks her father how she can pay off the debts of gratitude she owes to her family, friends, readers and the writers who influenced her.

g. ‘…a look of wonder will come into his eyes.’ What do you think is the reason for the change of expression?

The expression in his eyes will change when the writer tells her father that she is indebted to him for telling her stories and encouraging her to read the stories of writers like Tegner and Andersen. Those stories made her fall in love with fairy tales and the sagas of heroes. The father will be quite interested to hear this and he will be quite happy to hear that he got her into that debt.

h. Do you think there is poetry in hard rocks and black forests? State reasons.

Yes. There is poetry in hard rocks and forests. Nature inspires us in so many ways. It makes us more creative. Spending some time in nature and relishing its sights and sounds can encourage many people to write.

i. How does Selma’s father console her?

Father consoles Selma by telling her that there is a remedy for her trouble.

j. ‘I owe them gratitude, Father both for their praise and for their censure.’ Why is the speaker thankful even to those who criticised her?

For a writer, criticism is as important as praise. It helps a writer learn their mistakes, improve their craft and produce even better works in future. Hence, the writer is thankful even to those who criticise her.

k. What do you think makes Father ‘less calm’?

Father becomes less calm when he realizes that his daughter is indebted to a lot of people. She is even indebted to nature. He cannot figure out how she can pay off her debts so becomes less calm.

l. How did her friends and readers contribute to Selma Lagerlof’s journey to the Nobel Prize?

If her readers didn’t want to read her works, she wouldn’t be able to continue writing. The people who wrote about her, who worked for her and who opened the doors for her when no one believed in her also contributed to her journey to the Nobel Prize.

m. How does Father respond when he discovers his daughter’s biggest debt?

Father responds by saying that he cannot believe the Academy has bestowed the award on his daughter. While the daughter is worried about how she can pay off the debts of gratitude she owes her family, friends, readers and other people, her father says that he is too happy to worry about anything else now that his daughter has won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

n. How shall I repay this debt? What does Selma mean by this?

Here she is talking about the debts of gratitude she owes the Academy for showing enough trust in her to bestow her with the coveted Nobel Prize for Literature.

Let’s Rewind Question Answers

1. What is the significance of the journey by train? How does it relate to the narrator’s thoughts and reflections?

Trains tend to move smoothly so passengers can engage in some quiet contemplation or introspection. Here the narrator is imagining a meeting with her departed father. The smooth movement of the train and the rhythmic sounds it produce eliminate distractions and help her focus.

2. Explain the writer’s feelings of indebtedness to nature. Cite instances from the speech.

The writer is indebted to nature because it taught her a lot of things. She says that the animals, the birds, the plants, flowers and rocks have all shared some of their secrets with her. These secrets enriched her imagination and later influenced her writing.

3. Her father had a prime role in shaping Selma’s personality. Describe the role of the following in shaping her life:

a. nature b. literature c. art d. her friends and family e. her readers

a. Nature inspired her to write. It taught her that there is poetry in just about anything.

b. Literature
The stories that she read and the stories that she heard made her fall in love with fairy tales and the sagas of heroes. Later she wove her own stories drawing inspiration from these elements. 

c. Art

Music and folktales enriched her imagination and helped her write.

d. Friends and family

Her friends and family supported her to write. They opened doors for her when no one believed in her.

e. Her readers encouraged her to write. If they didn’t want to read her stories, she wouldn’t be able to continue writing.

4. How does Selma expresses her gratitude?

To express her gratitude she tells a story in a dream-like scenario. Through this story she thanks everyone who has supported her journey as a writer.

5. What do you think the speaker means by saying “…my biggest debt has not yet come…”?

Here the speaker is talking about her winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. She believes that it is her greatest achievement and she is quite grateful for it.

6. What, according to you, is Selma Lagerlof’s message to her audience and to us?

Her message is about the importance of being grateful and humble. We owe our success to a lot of people. It is foolish to believe that our achievements are our own when a lot of people have helped us along the way. 

Activity 1

1. Selma Lagerlof has arrived at Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. You are assigned the task of introducing and welcoming her to receive the award. Write the text of the announcement.

Distinguished guests, members of the Swedish Academy, Ladies and Gentleman. Today, I have the honour of introducing one of the greatest writers of our times. Her stories beautifully portray the cultures, beliefs and traditions of her country. Using her rich imagination, she wove beautiful stories that captured the essence of her motherland. She is also the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together as we welcome on to the stage our beloved writer Ms. Selma Lagerlof to receive this prestigious award.

2. Imagine you are Selma Lagerlof. Write a letter to your faithful friend, Esselde, who played a crucial role in your literary journey by opening doors when no one else believed in you.

Hotel Paradise
Stockholm
January 1, 1910

Dear Esselde
I am writing this letter from my hotel in Stockholm just after receiving the Nobel Prize. I still cannot believe that I have won this award. It is such a huge achievement for me.

As I hold this award in my hand, you are the first person who comes to my mind. I do not have enough words to express my gratitude to you. I wouldn’t be able to win this honour without you. There was a time when I had no readers, when no one believed in me. At that time, you stood by me. You had faith in my ability to write. You found opportunities for me and played a crucial role in making me the writer that I am today. Without sincere friends like you, I don’t know what I would have become.

On my way to Stockholm I imagined talking to my father. He was the person who introduced me to the world of letters. I owe him a lot. I owe gratitude to a lot of people and you have a special place among them.Thank you so much for supporting my journey to this achievement. I look forward to coming home and celebrating this moment with you.

Lots of love and gratitude

Selma

3. You have been chosen to design a beautifully crafted certificate of appreciation to honour Selma Lagerlof, the Nobel Prize winner. The certificate should be visually appealing, highlighting the admiration and gratitude of those honouring her. Use any word processing software available.