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The essay deals with the patterns of storytelling in Selma Lagerlöfs novel "Körkarlen". The focus is on the relationship between idea and form. Selma Lagerlöf tries to show how the drinker David Holm comes to insight about his own shortcomings and faults without knowing that he is in fact educated by his old friend. The author of this essay tries to show that Selma Lagerlöf use the same method in relation to the reader of the novel. Selma Lagerlöf wants to enlighten the reader without actually preaching. To som extent the essay deals with typical patterns of storytelling that Selma Lagerlöf uses, such as her symbolic method, her use of patterns from legends and ghost stories and finally her esthetics.