Ronia’s Moral Break with Robbery

Ronja, the Robber's Daughter

This flow traces Ronia’s movement from unknowing acceptance of her father’s work to a clear rejection of robbery and its inheritance.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Child’s Innocence A Child’s Innocence from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Things Simply There Childhood View Ronia sees the robbers return with goods but does not ask where they came from.

A Child’s Innocence from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Things Simply There Childhood View Ronia sees the robbers return with goods but does not ask where they came from.

Things Simply There Childhood View Ronia sees the robbers return with goods but does not ask where they came from. Like rain and forest, the goods seem simply to exist. Moral Blindness Her affection for Matt and his men is not yet tested against the people they rob. Knowledge will change how she understands familiar objects.

The Meaning of Robbery The Meaning of Robbery from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Naming the Work Explanation Matt admits that a robber takes things without permission. Ronia realizes that the goods she has seen were taken from other people.

The Meaning of Robbery from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Naming the Work Explanation Matt admits that a robber takes things without permission. Ronia realizes that the goods she has seen were taken from other people.

Naming the Work Explanation Matt admits that a robber takes things without permission. Ronia realizes that the goods she has seen were taken from other people. Victims Become Visible She asks whether those people become angry and learns that some cry. Their suffering makes the inherited profession morally unacceptable to her.

Refusing the Heirloom Refusing the Heirloom from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". A Clear No Rejection Matt says Ronia will become a robber chief, but she refuses, especially because victims grieve.

Refusing the Heirloom from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". A Clear No Rejection Matt says Ronia will become a robber chief, but she refuses, especially because victims grieve.

A Clear No Rejection Matt says Ronia will become a robber chief, but she refuses, especially because victims grieve. The daughter he admires does not accept his definition of a good life. Parental Disappointment Matt attempts to defend himself with a story of generosity. Noddle-Pete’s teasing reveals how rarely such charity offsets the ordinary work of robbery.

Rejecting Human Captivity Rejecting Human Captivity from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". The Principle Becomes Personal Protest When Matt captures Birk, Ronia distinguishes taking goods from taking people.

Rejecting Human Captivity from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". The Principle Becomes Personal Protest When Matt captures Birk, Ronia distinguishes taking goods from taking people.

The Principle Becomes Personal Protest When Matt captures Birk, Ronia distinguishes taking goods from taking people. She says she will no longer be his daughter if he treats a person as plunder. Consequence Her principle costs her home and father’s approval. She acts on it anyway, crossing to Borka’s side rather than accept the bargain.

A Future Outside Robbery A Future Outside Robbery from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Another Livelihood Possibility Ronia tells Birk about the silver mine Noddle-Pete revealed. They can imagine earning a living without taking from travelers.

A Future Outside Robbery from "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter". Another Livelihood Possibility Ronia tells Birk about the silver mine Noddle-Pete revealed. They can imagine earning a living without taking from travelers.

Another Livelihood Possibility Ronia tells Birk about the silver mine Noddle-Pete revealed. They can imagine earning a living without taking from travelers. Continuity of Choice Their plan is not yet carried out, but it makes Ronia’s refusal practical as well as moral. The children can inherit knowledge without inheriting the robber trade.

Before Ronia learns the source of the goods

The evening Ronia questions Matt

Immediately after Matt explains the robber’s life

The day Matt uses Birk as leverage

The spring after Noddle-Pete’s death