The Genre of Trolls - Doria

are the same as those of the conception of vittra (the Norwegian huldra).
In Western Sweden the Eastern Scandinavian and Western Scandinavian
traditions blend into each other, even though they retain the grotesque
traits of the Norwegian tradition. The Central Swedish conception of trolls
exists in Götaland, Southern and Central Svealand, Småland, Northern
Blekinge, Östergötland, Eastern Västergötland, Västmanland, Närke,
Södermanland, Uppland, Gästrikland and Swedish-speaking Finland.
Hartmann describes the Central Swedish trolls as a group of creatures
largely corresponding to the Danish bjærgfolk and the Norwegian huldrefolk,
as well as to the conception of vättar. The latter were regarded as more
peaceful and well-disposed neighbours, while the trolls received a more
ominous, dangerous stamp since they lived in the wilderness and in the
mountains. The evil-mindedness of the trolls was evidenced in their abductions
of cattle and humans alike. The Central Swedish trolls dwell in
mountains, those in Southern Sweden inhabit mounds, and Norwegian
trolls live in the high mountains. The looks of the troll may be pictured in
various ways, but its ugliness is a common feature. In Central Sweden the
troll can be of human height, whereas the Northern and Western parts of
the country favour huge trolls (Hartmann 1936: 60–65).
Jan-Öjvind Swahn essentially agrees with Elisabeth Hartmann in his article
in the Swedish Nationalencyklopedin. He notes that the term troll has
different significations in Swedish (including Finland-Swedish), Danish
and Norwegian tradition, and that the trolls of folk belief, and therefore of
legends, were envisioned as anthropomorphic, collective supranormal beings
inhabiting mountains, barrows or woods in Central and South Swedish
folklore. They were thought to live their lives much as humans did, and in
some legends they live in peace with man, though they are mostly depicted
as thieving and dangerous. Conceptions of changelings and abductions
were the most important ones connected to them, and these motifs can also
be found in the Celtic world; this was one of Elisabeth Hartmann’s main
points. Belief in trolls must be distinguished from that in witches. The
trolls of folktales are identical with giants, and their role is to serve as
supernaturally great and dangerous opponents to the heroes. The solitary
trolls associated with impressive natural formations in legends tend to have
characteristics drawn from both legends and folktales (Swahn 1995: 431).
With regards to the Norwegian trolls, Virginie Amilien describes them
as supernatural creatures, big and ugly, functioning as the opponents of the
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Introduction