Debts of Gratitude (Adapted Comic Book)
The prose Debts of Gratitude by Selma Lagerlöf explores themes of gratitude, indebtedness, and reflection. The narrator, on a train journey to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, reminisces about the people and experiences that shaped her life. She imagines a conversation with her late father, expressing her deep sense of gratitude toward him, nature, literature, and those who supported her journey. The piece highlights how true gratitude goes beyond material debts—it is about acknowledging the profound impact of others on one's life and finding ways to honor that influence.
In Debts of Gratitude, Selma Lagerlöf reflects on her journey to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. As she sits on the train, she reminisces about past visits to the city, often for difficult tasks like examinations. She feels joy at receiving the prize but also sorrow that her father is no longer alive to witness her achievement.
In a dream-like sequence, she imagines meeting her father in Paradise. She envisions him sitting in a rocking chair, surrounded by a beautiful garden. She approaches him, seeking advice on how to repay the many debts she owes—not financial ones, but debts of gratitude to those who shaped her life. She recalls how her father introduced her to literature and music, how vagabonds and storytellers enriched her imagination, and how nature itself inspired her.
She also acknowledges her debt to her readers, critics, and friends who supported her journey. As she expresses her concerns, her father listens and ultimately reassures her that some debts cannot be repaid in a conventional way. Instead, they are honored through appreciation and continued dedication to one's craft. The prose ends with Lagerlöf accepting this wisdom and proposing a toast to the Swedish Academy.
📖 Read the full storybook here: Debts of Gratitude
