Eleseus

Sivert

Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood.

Isak

Father and son, with tension arising from Eleseus's rejection of the farming life Isak holds sacred.

Inger

Mother and son, with Inger doting on Eleseus and hoping for his success, though he disappoints her.

Barbro

Former lovers, with Barbro ultimately choosing Axel over the impractical Eleseus, creating lingering tension.

Isak

Father and son, with tension arising from Eleseus's rejection of the farming life Isak holds sacred.

Inger

Mother and son, with Inger doting on Eleseus and hoping for his success, though he disappoints her.

Sivert

Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood.

Sivert

Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood.

Barbro

Former lovers, with Barbro ultimately choosing Axel over the impractical Eleseus, creating lingering tension.

Barbro

Former lovers, with Barbro ultimately choosing Axel over the impractical Eleseus, creating lingering tension.

Isak

Father and son, with tension arising from Eleseus's rejection of the farming life Isak holds sacred.

Inger

Mother and son, with Inger doting on Eleseus and hoping for his success, though he disappoints her.

III

Newborn son, placed in a packing-case cradle; described as healthy with no harelip.

IV

Firstborn son, now walking and curious; named after the parish priest.

V

Eleseus is present and playing with stones when Geissler notices them and identifies them as ore.

Chapter VI

Taught an evening prayer by Inger, plays with stones near Isak.

VII

Eleseus is taught prayers by Inger and receives gifts from Fru Geissler.

IX

Shows curiosity about nature, asks about gulls and flies, and wipes his eyes when the old goat is killed, showing sensitivity.

Geissler's Visit and Inger's Freedom

Eleseus draws on the loom with colored pencils and receives a coin from Geissler; he is curious about writing.

Chapter XI

One of Isak and Inger's sons; he and Sivert run to meet the returning family but hesitate upon seeing their mother.

Chapter XII

Helps with the sawmill, skilled with a plumb-line, and goes to school.

XIII

Gets a new pair of skis from Isak, feels anxious when the engineer arrives fearing the colored pencil incident will be discovered.

Chapter XIV

Mentioned as the reason Inger steals money—to send him funds while he is in town.

Chapter XVI

Away in town, resists returning home, sells the underclothes his mother sends, and is the subject of Isak's telegram.

Chapter XVII

Leaves Sellanraa reluctantly, feeling superior and sensitive about his mother's imprisonment.

XVIII

Cares for Uncle Sivert, arranges the funeral, flirts with Barbro, and manages the inheritance accounts.

Chapter XIX

Works hard during haymaking despite blistered hands and lost appetite. He reads the instructions for the mowing-machine and seems troubled by an unhappy love affair.

Book II

The eldest son, sent to town for work and education, showing signs of becoming detached from farm life.

I

Prepares to leave Sellanraa again, feels conflicted about his town and country life, and stops at Maaneland where he shows off his coat and interacts with Barbro.

Chapter IV

Works in a shop in town, spends money freely, and disappoints his mother by not pursuing a higher position.

Chapter VIII

Eleseus negotiates and buys Storborg for 1500 Kroner, but feels trapped in the wilderness.

Chapter XI

Prepares for his spring business trip south, forgets his umbrella at Breidablik, and displays a detached, gentlemanly demeanor.