Introduction
The influence of American cultures on other countries is notable globally. The Scandinavian culture remains one of the observable traditions that have harbored significant manipulations from prevalent global cultures. Renowned academicians as well as writers have noted these influences and presented them within their literary works. Mikael Niemi and Erlend Loe are such authors that present the notable ways through which young Americans have influenced the Scandinavian culture.
Generally, these two novels appear to be a presentation of fictional imaginations about the lives of two young Americans and how they relate with the society as well as people around them. They are both fictions that tend to give a comic and humorous depiction of the lifestyles of two young personalities. This paper thus compares and contrasts the diverse ways through which the young Americans have influenced the Scandinavian culture.
Contrasts and Comparisons
Foremost, a critical analysis of the two novels presents the atmosphere of humor as well as comic relief. The authors appear humorous in their artistic work. The description of the Scandinavian culture assumes a comic presentation with both young main characters taking the enter focus. It is observable that the “popular music from Vittula” gives a presentation of a typical village as well as native Swedish cultural practices.
On the other hand, Erlen Loe’s Naïve Super, presents a modern metropolitan atmosphere of New York that includes a multicultural state of affairs. In particular, the cultural interactions within the two settings presented in the two novels are multi-dimensional. In Vittula specifically, the young Americans there indicate their lives as that predominantly observed in Alaska, Arkansaa, or Idaho.
These are places known to be very far off the beaten track. While the young Americans popular music from Vittula tries to transform the Swedish life to fit that of the typical American countryside, the Erlen Loe’s novel presents a high class urban life that tries to globalize all cultures and mainstream them into a singular international one.
It is evident that the main characters are reluctant to apply the Scandinavian culture in their daily lifestyle as well as interactions. The latter is set on a globally cultural sensitive environment that rather influences the surrounding to a more globally accepted practices, culture as well as lifestyle. Evidently, both the major characters in the Erlen Loe’s novel as well as the Mikael Niemi’s popular music from Vittula are depicted at first to be culturally insensitive and unaware of the happenings around them.
In the ‘Naïve, Super’ for instance, the character admits that he was “troubled by the inability to find any meaning in life” (Loe, 2011). Their ability to categorically influence the younger generation critical and can be observed by their younger ages. For instance, the main character in the Erlen Loe’s novel of Naïve, Super is only a 25 year old narrator.
Likely, the major character in the Mikael Niemi’s popular music from Vittula is a younger teenager still dependant on his parents’ insight and knowledge. This is particularly seen when he asks his dad a question about the extent of the world. For instance, in Chapter one of the novel, the character asks the dad a simple question: that “how big is the world?” Consequently, the dad answers that, “It’s enormous” (Niemi 2004, p.14).
The young Americans in Vittula embrace mechanization at a higher rate relative to their Scandinavian counterparts. It is stated in Mikael Niemi’s popular music from Vittula that there was not much work outside the timber industry (Niemi, 2004). There is evidence that with the advent and influence of the young Americans in Vittula, even the native practices and professions such as the lumberjacks had to suffer or transform to the more mechanized approaches of doing things.
Admittedly, the place was regarded as a small swamp for young people who wanted changes, who wanted something different. American and British pop cultures were that different thing young people were striving for. The Beatles and Elvis Presley were icons and the protagonist was inspired by these figures. A record was seen as a treasure which was hidden under the shirt “next to his skin” by one of the characters (Niemi, 2004, p. 64).
A broadcasted concert of Elvis was one of the greatest events in Vittula. This event made girls “bit” their “nails down to the quick” and weep into their pillows “all night long” (Niemi, 2004, p. 79). The protagonist “wanted a guitar” (Niemi, 2004, p. 79).
The protagonist wanted to plunge into the different world, the world of music, the world of pop culture which was bright. Of course, the whiteness (or rather colorlessness) of the protagonist’s existence made him chase for the color of “Roskn roll musis” (Niemi, 2004, p.64).
Young boys became enchanted by pop culture which was quite new for Scandinavians. The bright colors and great tunes were simply from another reality. These tunes were beautifully strange and irresistibly fascinating.
Scandinavian boys wanted to bring brighter colors to their regular lives. While listening to American and British pop idols, Scandinavian boys somehow felt a part of the brand new world which was exiting and marvelous. The youth of Vittula wanted to recreate the fascinating world of Rock ’n Roll.
Everything connected with this music or this way of life was regarded as something different, i.e. something attractive and popular. People of Vittula sometimes felt somewhat “marginal”. Elvis and the Beatles could help them feel in the center of something bigger.
Of course, many people in the area wanted to become a part of the great changes. Of course, such great personalities as Elvis or any of the Beatles were regarded as models. Girls loved these performers. Of course, they inevitably loved those who performed their songs. Thus, boys who tried to play the same music were seen as really tough guys who deserved being loved.
Interestingly, the effect of the pop culture was multifaceted. On the one hand, boys wanted to play the great music to become a part of the great world. On the other hand, girls fell in love with those brave boys who tried to explore the new world. Pop culture penetrated into the regular life of the inhabitants of Vittula in many different ways.
Thus, some boys simply could not do without playing guitar. Others wanted to play the popular music to win the hearts of the girls they loved. Sometimes it was difficult to say which motive prevailed. Only one thing could be said for sure: American and British pop idols did change the world of those who lived in Vittula. It is possible to state that the protagonist wanted to be a part of the bigger world of pop culture rather than he was motivated by a particular feeling to a particular person.
The first attempts to play were far from being successful as the protagonist felt “nerve-wracking but wonderful” (Niemi, 2004, p. 152). However, for the protagonist noted it “was big time” (Niemi, 2004, p. 152). It goes without saying that the music did change his life as his life became more colorful.
The cultural influence of young Americans as depicted in the Erlen Loe’s novel of Naïve, Super is however based on the demands and practices of native or countryside American culture. Instead, it is based on the global perspectives of life itself. To begin with, it is notable that the main character quits the university and eventually arrives at his brother’s New York apartment. The character then depicts the nature and behavior of a person never satisfied with the state of his present life.
Consequently, he decides to “write a list of things that will assist him discover what life is all about” (Loe, 2011). In doing this, the youthful character looks down upon the beliefs of his contemporary age mates who are actually the Scandinavian. It is thus observable that their beliefs and cultural practices become gradually transformed into a more city and globally dictated pattern or form.
Unlike the gradual acceptance of reality and life’s consequences of the character in the Mikael Niemi’s popular music from Vittula, the Erlen Loe’s novel of Naïve, Super depicts a rather culturally impatient character with an urge to adopt the most recent lifestyles and cultural practices.
There is demonstration that such a character looks down upon other characters and cultures. This can be evidenced by the fact that he does not particularly embrace his culture given by the fact that he himself decides to quit his university education in search of a better life and culture. The appreciation of art in both cultural influences that can be drawn from both cultures is critical.
Conclusion
It is notable that whilst the Vittula novel setting appreciates the Native American musical accompaniments and taste, the New York set the Erlen Loe’s novel of Naïve, Super demonstrates a more refined musical taste. This is because the occurrences and cultural influences are devoid of the appreciation of the Native American culture and music.
Conclusively, it is notable that the two novels indicate a significant influence that young Americans have on the Scandinavian culture. It is also notable that upon a critical analysis, several instances can be drawn from the novels.
References
Loe, E. (2011). Naïve super. Edinburgh: Canongate Books.
Niemi, M. (2004). Popular music from Vittula: A novel. New York, NY: Seven Stories Press.