# Gustaf Sondelius — Arrowsmith character guide > Gustaf Sondelius in Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sondelius, Gustaf **First appearance:** 0010-iv ## Snapshot A flamboyant, globe-trotting Swedish epidemiologist who roams the world fighting epidemics, founding institutions, and making inconvenient speeches. ## Who they are Sondelius is a rich eccentric with clubs in London, Paris, Washington, and New York, known from Batoum to Bechuanaland for his war on disease. He shouts that tuberculosis, cancer, typhoid, and plague are an invading army against which the world must mobilize, and his violence catches Martin like a conversion. His crusade gives Martin a new passion after the death of the Gottlieb-cult, and his example of science as spectacle and combat shapes Martin's ambitions. ## Relationships ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Gustaf Sondelius is a charismatic, globe-trotting Swedish epidemiologist who becomes Martin's close friend and ally in the fight against plague. ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Gustaf Sondelius is a charismatic, globe-trotting Swedish epidemiologist who becomes Martin's close friend and ally in the fight against plague. ### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith) _friendship_ Gustaf Sondelius is a charismatic, globe-trotting Swedish epidemiologist who becomes Martin's close friend and ally in the fight against plague. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Returned to America, lecturing and syndicating his violent calls for a global war on disease; his ideas convert Martin. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Martin's admiration for Sondelius and the health war inspires a shift toward research. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Announced to give a lecture on 'Heroes of Health' in Minneapolis; Martin plans to attend. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Martin plans to attend his lecture, though he doubts its quality. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Delivers a rousing lecture on public health, then takes Martin out for a night of drinking and wide-ranging conversation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Not mentioned in this chapter. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Recommends Martin for a position with Dr. Almus Pickerbaugh. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned in Martin's thoughts as a figure he would rather work for than Pickerbaugh, representing an ideal of scientific adventure. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a contrast to Pickerbaugh, being less known in America despite his articulate and generous nature. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Sondelius is referenced as the source of a ballad Martin sings at the party, indicating his influence on Martin's character. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Invited to speak at the fair but unable to attend. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as appearing a 'mountebank' compared to the polished surgeons. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxvi) Though deceased, his memory and ideals continue to influence Martin, reminding him of the selfless pursuit of science. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as having previously worked at the McGurk Institute and recommended the Brevoort to Martin. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxvii) Sondelius is remembered in the context of the plague and his sacrifice. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxviii) Mentioned as having died of plague on St. Hubert; his memory influences Martin's reflections. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Sondelius returns from Africa, befriends Martin and Terry, and tries to win Gottlieb's favor with boisterous enthusiasm. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Becomes Martin's unpaid collaborator, bringing enthusiasm and practical assistance to the plague research. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Eagerly joins the mission, plans to exterminate rats and support the phage trial. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Roars about Leora's decision to go, expressing opposition. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Refuses the phage injection until Martin agrees to treat everyone in St. Hubert. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Martin and Leora, content and reminiscing about past voyages. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vii) Conspicuously active on the ship; argues, sings, and entertains, but is rebuffed by Miss Gwilliam and later seen looking old. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Sondelius is with Martin on the steamer, responding matter-of-factly to Martin's realization about the quarantine. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii) Travels with Martin and Leora, tries to keep spirits up and recognizes Dr. Stokes. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Boisterous and energetic, takes charge of dealing with the Surgeon General and Ira Hinkley. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Makes himself at home in the bungalow, dropping clothes and pipe ashes. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Sondelius joyfully takes over the plague response, becoming dictator of St. Hubert, organizing rat-killing and fumigation, drinking heavily, and reflecting on accidental deaths. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxiv) Mentioned as having died of plague on St. Hubert; his death is a significant event that haunts Martin. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Argues with Martin but is not in favor of the experiment. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii) Craftily bullies the Board into meeting, initially opposes Martin's controlled experiment, but later defends him and agrees to follow his plan. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Leads the burning of Carib, contracts plague, and dies after a stoic, agnostic farewell. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Deceased; his body was cremated on Admiral Knob. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as having died; his laughter is stilled. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as having tried to persuade Martin to give the phage to everyone; his death is recalled in Martin's grief. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/viii) Not directly present but referenced through Martin's thoughts about the judgment of scientists. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xxxvi) Mentioned in memory as a fallen comrade from the St. Hubert plague. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/i) Phantom of Sondelius haunts Martin; Miss Gwilliam asks about him and is told he is dead. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as having died of plague. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned in memory as a martyr who died of the plague, influencing Martin's sense of purpose. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/gustaf_sondelius - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters