The Saga of the Confederates

The first noticable difference came to be at the very beginning of the saga. After spending my night writing my paper on the characterization (or lack thereof) of the main characters found in the typical saga, I noticed right away that the saga of the Confederates gives more information upfront than any saga before its time. Thorgerd was characterized as "a woman of good family and very strong character," probably the first mention of a female that doesn't begin with (and consist almost only of) a description of beauty. The first paragraph also mentioned the lack of affection Odd recieved, which is an unusual insight for the saga era.

I also noticed that dialouge increased in volume, and also that what the characters say seem to be wordier, whereas before their statements were very blunt and to the point. (A side note, on pg 467 Ospak says "It's like this, Odd..." I thought that phrase was a biiiiit modern sounding for ancient Icelandic speak...)

Speaking of modern, it appeared to me that Svala owned her own farm? I wasn't aware that this was a priviledge women were capable of in that time, so I found that interesting. Also, the interaction and "courting" between Svala and Odd had more detail and usually found in such circumstances.

It was also interesting to hear a report of finding Ospak's body the next season, instead of bluntly ending his part in the saga as soon as he leaves the community.