Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove: Role of Community in Piecing Ove Together https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684429

Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove: Role of Community in Piecing Ove Together

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684429

Author(s): Vatika Sharma

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684429

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Volume 15 | Issue 4 | August 2024

Pages: 279-286

The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 15, Issue-IV, August 2024 ISSN: 0976-8165
www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove: Role of Community in Piecing Ove
Together
Vatika Sharma
Research Scholar,
Arya Kanya P.G. College (Hapur),
Affiliated to C.C.S.U, Meerut.
Article History: Submitted-02/07/2024, Revised-13/08/2024, Accepted-21/08/2024, Published-31/08/2024.
Abstract:
This research paper plunges into the celebrated Swedish novel A Man Called Ove (2012)
by Fredrik Backman, translated into English by Henning Koch in 2014. The paper aims to highlight
the role of community in healing and helping an individual to cope with losses and adversities in
life. Ove, the protagonist, is heartbroken at the death of his wife. To make matters worse, his office
forces him to retire early. Having nothing to live for, he tries various methods of suicide. However,
his life begins to change with the arrival of his new neighbour, Parvaneh and her family. Parvaneh
invites herself into Ove’s life and he has no other option but to accept her unsolicited entry
begrudgingly. She gradually knits their community together and builds a close network of people
who can rely on each other.
Keywords: Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove, role of community, human relationships.
Introduction to the Novel
Published in 2012, A Man Called Ove narrates the saga of a fifty-nine-year-old man who
finds himself redundant in the world after his beloved wife Sonja dies of cancer and he gets sacked
from his office. Unable to bear the pain, he tries to hang himself in his room, choke himself to
death in his garage, throw himself before a running train, and shoot himself with a rifle. However,
all these suicide attempts are frustrated by sheer serendipity, much to Ove’s annoyance. The tear-
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684429

Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove: Role of Community in Piecing Ove Together
www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
jerking novel beautifully brings home the point that one can find purpose and meaning in one’s
life even after suffering the gravest of losses. Losing family or friend can be devastating. Grieving
is painful yet essential to heal oneself. But life need not come to an end after this phase. Love is
valuable in every form. Backman foregrounds the role of building a connection with one’s
community.
What is Community and Why Community?
Having thus laid the background of the novel, let us now examine what community is in
its true essence and why it is crucial to build one. David M. Chavis and Kien Lee, in their article
“What Is Community Anyway?” assert that community is not a place, a building, or an
organisation. They give an insightful definition of community:
Community is both a feeling and a set of relationships among people. People form and
maintain communities to meet common needs…Members of a community have a sense of
trust, belonging, safety, and caring for each other. They have an individual and collective
sense that they can, as part of that community, influence their environments and each other.
Neighborhoods, companies, schools, and places of faith are context and environments for
these communities, but they are not communities themselves.
A community has both formal and informal forms. School, government, religion, law
enforcement are formal communities. Residential neighbourhoods, gardening and cooking clubs,
interest groups (based on shared interests), friendship groups are informal communities. According
to Wikipedia, “members of informal groups…share jokes and gripes, eat together, play and work
together, and are friends-which contributes to personal esteem, satisfaction, and a feeling of
worth.” In the context of the novel, it is the latter type that we shall be focusing on. Formal
communities are undoubtedly essential for fulfilling one’s civil duties and roles. However,
informal communities are equally vital in an individual’s life. Thus their significance ought not to
be neglected in a fast-paced world ruled by cut-throat competition.
Elizabeth Dixon, in her article “The Importance of Cultivating Community: Why we need
each other”, states
Our diet, how often we journal, or the number of daily positive affirmations we repeat isn’t
nearly as important as the community we surround ourselves in. The social connections we
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
have (or don’t have) can literally shape the physical structure and development of our
brains, leading to integrated or disintegrated mental states.
In her article “Community for the win — how collective solutions help individual problems”,
Maggie Wool writes that “people who lack strong social connections are also more likely to suffer
from high levels of stress and inflammation, and face higher risk for suicide and early death.”
According to Wooll, building a community can alleviate stress: “Coming together physically or
virtually, finding points of connection with others, and enjoying moments of celebration and
camaraderie can leave us feeling engaged and refreshed. Those positive feelings may help lower
stress and anxiety.” Thus community and camaraderie are vital components in making an
individual’s life fulfilling and wholesome. Now, to fully understand and appreciate the role of
community in Ove’s road to recovery, it is imperative to understand his character development, his
relationship with Sonja and how her death drove him to the edge of despair.
Ove’s Grumpy and Rigid Personality
If we are to judge Ove superficially, based on his behaviour and interaction with other
characters, the word “grumpy” best describes him. He belongs to the Boomer Generation and
sticks with his old values. He is not fond of the new changes taking place in his society. He comes
off as a sulky person but underneath this churlish persona lies a warm and sensitive heart. We are
told of his childhood in flashbacks. His father, who worked for the railways, was a man of
principles. His mother, a chain-smoker, died of air hazard at the chemical plant where she worked.
Ove grew up looking up to his father and imbibing all his principles. He too was taciturn and stolid
like his father. After he was orphaned at the age of 16, the kind Railway master gave him work in
his father’s place. Impressed his integrity and work, the Railway master allows him to work there.
Thus Ove decided to drop out of school. A scoundrel colleague who has a grudge against Ove
blamed him for embezzling Railway money. Everybody in the department knew who the real thief
was. However, Ove still upholding his father’s principles, refused to tell on Tom. Thus the boss
had no choice but to demote Ove to the job of a Railway sweeper.
Accustomed to routine, Ove’s journey took an unexpected turn when he saw a beautiful
woman on the Railway platform. He was done for the day and supposed to take his train back
home, but her effervescent presence made him make a spontaneous decision for the first time. He
boarded the wrong train just so he could sit next to Sonja. When she warmed up to him, he
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continued to board the wrong train for the next three months. This meant making an hour long
journey in the wrong direction. She was studying to be a teacher. When asked about his job, he
lied that he was training in the military. When he confessed his lie at the dinner, Sonja was
impressed and touched by his self-sacrificing disposition. She encouraged him to enrol in an
engineering course so that he could utilise his technical acumen. He secured a decent job at the
housing office. Ove and Sonja soon married. Ove “worked hard, paid tax and did his duty”.
Contrasting Personalities of Ove and Sonja
Ove and Sonja were opposite poles of magnets. He adored her vivacity; she loved his
sincerity. “She only loved abstract things like music and books and strange words. Ove was a man
entirely filled with tangible things. He liked screwdrivers and oil filters. He went through life with
his hands firmly shoved into his pockets. She danced” (Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove, 96).
So, it is easy to see why they got drawn to each other. They are not the first example of such a
couple where the woman is the cheerful life force for the male protagonist, giving meaning and
colour to his life. “Sunshine-girl-and-brooding-guy” has been a popular trope in literature and
films for many decades, but Backman’s novelty lies elsewhere. Backman has used this trope very
tastefully, but without the romantic love overriding the main script. The readers see their love story
but only in flashbacks, which by no means downplays their romance. The focus of the story is
Ove’s present life after Sonja’s death. Backman situates a medley of vibrant, amiable and funny
characters in Ove’s neighbourhood whom the readers go on befriending — along with Ove.
Role of Parvaneh — the Social Butterfly that Vivifies and Unifies the Garden
Parvaneh is a thirty-year-old Iranian woman married to Patrick, a Swede. The couple has
two daughters and is expecting a third child. Parvaneh acts like a thread which weaves all the beads
together in harmony. She is gregarious, warm, and bubbling with joy. So, she quite reminds one of
Ove’s late wife. She manages to convince Ove to do what she wants, regardless of his initial
protests. She sees through his stern and unfriendly demeanour and sees him for the man he is inside
— kind but broken by his wife’s death. He tries to keep her at an arm’s length. However, it does
not discourage her from approaching him. She has “an untidy, mischievous laugh that refuses to
go along with rules and prescriptions” (53). There is a subtle cordiality between Parvaneh and Ove
from the start.
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Ove was never a people person, so his grief was silent and suppressed as well. However,
he had been coping with his loss in an unhealthy way, that is, by cutting everyone off and
attempting to cut short his own life. He refused to discard Sonja’s belongings and bring his house
and lifestyle back to normal. Parvaneh shows him that he is still a lovable and valuable community
member. She assigns him to look after her toddlers. She cheers him up saying, “You’re the funniest
thing she knows. That’s why she always draws you in colour” (186). By and by, we see how
Parvaneh brings all the neighbours together. We meet Jimmy the jovial orphan, Mirsad who is a
gay rejected by his father, the stray cat, the old couple Anita and Rune abandoned by their son.
These people had been struggling and fighting their battles all alone. Parvaneh transforms her
community into an extended family.
Ove’s Recovery Through Service of Community
Parvaneh engages Ove in helping others. She asks him to teach her to drive. She persuades
him to assist Anita, Ove’s old friend and immediate neighbour, by fixing her radiator. He lends a
hand to Adrian, a youth trying to repair the bicycle of the girl he likes. It is because of Parvaneh’s
influence that Ove gives shelter to Mirsad, who is disowned by his father for being gay. He also
convinces Mirsad’s father to accept his son as he is. Furthermore, when Ove is stabbed by the
intruders, it is Parvaneh who calls the ambulance and cries the most. After his recovery, their whole
close-knit neighbourhood comes together to confront the deceitful white collars. This instance
highlights the power of interpersonal bonds.
Ove is able to move on from Sonya’s death and assimilate himself again into his society.
He comes to appreciate life and relationships in all shades and colours. It would be no surprise
then that when Ove dies, he bequeaths his house, car and bank account in Parvaneh’s trust. He dies
a natural and peaceful death cosy in bed. A reader of the novel sums up Ove’s character
development beautifully:
Ove had become an isolated person who was just existing but not living. Ove tried to end
his life multiple times but was constantly interrupted by someone. These people were his
neighbours who’d ask for help, check up on him, spend time with him and even bring him
delicious savoury dishes. Slowly, Ove accepted them as “his people”. He gave up on the
idea of ending his life as he saw outside of his grief and found meaning in serving others.
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In the end he died a peaceful death, knowing how much his community, his friends, his
people loved him.
Struggles of Old Widowers
Dr Alejandra Vasquez, a certified grief counsellor, writes in her article “The 7 Stages of
Widower’s Grief + Tips” :
Rarely do we hear about the grief and pain a widower may feel when losing their
spouse…Men are stereotyped and expected to remain stoic, pillars of superhuman
strength…The stages of grief for a widower might be longer and more complicated to
resolve because of that same inability to process their grief openly and honestly among his
friends, family, and peers.
In her article “7 Steps for Widows and Widowers to Manage Their First Year Alone”, Anna
Bryne states: “The first year of being a widow or widower is about living in memory of a loved
one, but the next chapter is about remembering to live your own life”. However, as an ageing man
recently widowed and also having been stripped of his job, Ove feels like he has no purpose in life
anymore. He also does not have any children to find comfort in, as Sonja had suffered a
miscarriage. So, his life is haunted by loneliness and meaninglessness.
Thus, it becomes all the more critical for the community to reach out to silent and suffering
widowers because they find it hard to express and share their sorrows. Amanda Lambert in her
article “9 Ways to Help Seniors with Loneliness During COVID-19” suggests that the problem of
loneliness among seniors must be dealt with tactfully. “Sometimes it’ll take more than just a phone
call, so prepare to be persistent”. As we can see in the novel, this is precisely what Parvaneh does.
She is relentless in her efforts to involve Ove with the community. She reaches out to him and
makes him help others, even if he is rude. Lambert suggests various methods to help an elderly
member of a community, such as scheduling frequent visits, hiring a caregiver as this provides
them with not just a helper but also a companion, signing them up on social media if they are
comfortable with it, sending or delivering gifts like fresh flowers or food. Parvaneh introduces
herself and her family to Ove when she moves into her new neighborhood. She even gives him a
homecooked meal as a gesture of affection from a new neighbour. He is confused and apprehensive
at first, but eventually appreciates her efforts. Lambert also suggests:
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Consider pets: If your loved one can take care of one, a small pet can make a huge
difference. Cats can be easier to take care of since they don’t require daily walking. Most
assisted living communities allow small animals. Having the responsibility and
companionship of a pet often fills the need to take care of something other than yourself.
Parvaneh gets Ove to adopt a stray cat that has almost frozen to death. He is not fond of cats, nor
does he want any commitments. However, in the due course of time, we see how Ove begins to
befriend the cat and cares for it.
Cultivating a Community in an Age of Anxiety, Insecurity and Alienation
Dixon suggests ways to cultivate a community, a need which is just as vital for introverts
like Ove. “Stepping out and starting new conversations, joining a new group, going out to lunch
with co-workers, or re-connecting with old acquaintances.” According to her, phone calls help us
feel connected with one’s dear ones better than emails or texts. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable
is also crucial in building an authentic connection with our community. “We have to be willing to
share our struggles, hopes and needs with those we come to know and trust. The vulnerability
arises when we let our most authentic selves be truly seen and known by others…”
People who struggle to assimilate in their social environment and build relationships need
not despair. Socialising does not demand a person to always host programs or gatherings. Wooll
writes, “The beauty of communities is that you can contribute just by participating. Just showing
up can enrich your life, the lives of others, and build more resilient organizations and societies.”
Conclusion
It becomes clear that cultivating a community is very essential in today’s era, where
isolation and depression continue to take a toll on human beings. One can socialise in several ways
such as, reaching out to people in one’s neighbourhood or participating in groups sharing similar
interests. A sense of community and belongingness becomes all the more critical for an individual
with no family to rely on for basic needs and emotional support. Ove slowly heals with the warmth
and cooperation of his small community. He eventually opens up to society and becomes a
grandpa-like figure for all.

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Works Cited:
Backman, Fredrik. A Man Called Ove. Translated by Henning Koch, Sceptre, 2014.
Dixon, Elizabeth. “The Importance of Cultivating Community: Why we need each other”.
Psychology Today,
20 August
2021,
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-
flourishing-family/202108/the-importance-cultivating-community . Accessed 27 June 2024.
Lambert, Amanda. “9 Ways to Help Seniors with Loneliness During COVID-19”. Cake, 20
November 2020, https://www.joincake.com/blog/loneliness-in-seniors/ . Accessed 29 June
2024.
M. Chavis, David and Lee, Kein. “What Is Community Anyway?”. Stanford Social Innovation
Review, 12 May 2015, https://ssir.org/articles/entry/what_is_community_anyway . Accessed
30 June 2024.
Silver, Diluc. Interview. By Vatika Sharma, 1 July 2024.
Vasquez, Dr Alejandra. “The 7 Stages of Widower’s Grief + Tips”. Cake, 9 July 2020,
https://www.joincake.com/blog/stages-of-grief-for-a-widower/ . Accessed 29 June 2024.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Informal Organization”. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_organization . Accessed 30 June 2024.
Wooll, Maggie. “Community for the win — how collective solutions help individual
problems”. Better Up, 3 November 2021, https://www.betterup.com/blog/importance-of-
community. Accessed 29 June 2024.
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