# Axel Ström — Growth of the Soil character guide

> Axel Ström in Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Axel

**First appearance:** 0021-i

## Snapshot

A neighboring farmer with a horse and a telegraph post, drawn into the tangled lives of Brede's family and the restless settlement around him.

## Who they are

Axel is the practical neighbor who shares road work and road gossip, a man who buys Brede Olsen's place and then finds himself saddled with the telegraph line and Brede's resentful threats. His life becomes entangled with Barbro, and his cautious, money-minded decency is tested by the people who drift through his door. He matters because he represents the next generation of settlers — less visionary than Isak, more exposed to the schemes, lawsuits, and shifting fortunes that the wider world keeps pushing up the valley.

## In the story

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xv)

Visits Sellanraa to see the waterwork; plans to dig irrigation channels on his own land; has secured Barbro as summer help.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xviii)

Feels out of place with Eleseus and Barbro, focuses on his land and building plans.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/ii)

Axel is troubled by Barbro's possible role in the child's death, feels his hold on her loosening, and struggles with her discontent and secretive behavior.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/iii)

Struggles with Barbro's departure, goes out to fell timber, and is pinned under a tree; rescued by Brede and Oline.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/iv)

Turns off from his road to visit the mine, showing its widespread draw.

### [Chapter VII: The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/vii)

Returns from court acquitted; reflects on the trial and his relief at being free.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/viii)

Axel struggles with Oline as housekeeper and confronts Barbro about the rings.

### [Barbro's Return to Maaneland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/x)

Accepts Barbro back, marries her, and struggles to get rid of Oline.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/axel_strom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters