Den segregerade småstadens dilemma. En geokritisk analys av folkhemsskildringen i Torbjörn Flygts Underdog

Sammanfattning: The aim of this essay is to show how the novel Underdog by Torbjörn Flygt can be read as a critique of the Swedish folkhem. I use a geocritical perspective in my analysis to show that the novel criticizes the folkhem primarily through the portrayal of the characters Monika and Roger and their complex relation with the suburban area Borgmästaregården, in which the story takes place. By the history of the Swedish folkhem, I discuss how and why the development of the two characters, as well as the story of the novel, are influenced by Borgmästaregården. By focusing on the characters Monica and Roger, I discuss how the Swedish folkhem was inspired to help women and children by the ideas of Ellen Key and Alva and Gunnar Myrdal. During the folkhem era, functionalism was used to plan and modernize old city centers as well as new suburban areas, such as Borgmästaregården. But components of the functionalist city planning have been heavily criticized by Jane Jacobs. I argue that the story of Underdog shows how the characters are influenced by the suburban area in which they live, but in a way that is more in line with the negative consequences that Jacobs has described than the visions of the Swedish folkhem.