Kirsi Kunnas and the melody of Finnish nonsense

Abstract

The influence of British literary trends is undeniable in the literature of most of the western world, and Finland is no exception. This paper examines this transposition and transformation of genres through the reflection and rebirth of nonsense literature in the Finnish language: specifically in the production of the renown children’s poet Kirsi Kunnas. Kunnas’ form-forward approach to poetry creates unique and interesting avenues for nonsense to arise in Finnish. Here, using the comprehensive nonsense devices as a methodological approach, the various kinds of nonsense in Kunnas’ poems are categorized and examined in an effort to highlight the unique characteristics of this melodic Finnish nonsense.