# Geissler — Growth of the Soil character guide > Geissler in Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lensmand Geissler, the Lensmand, Fru Geissler, Ex-Lensmand Geissler **First appearance:** 0003-iii ## Snapshot The disgraced former Lensmand who arrives with papers and a bag, sizing up Isak's clearing and quietly shaping the fate of the whole district. ## Who they are Geissler is the surly, unpredictable official who first comes to Sellanraa to survey and sell Isak the land he has already cleared, teasing his assistant and stroking the children's hair between valuations. He is a man of odd humors — dismissed from office, mocked by traders like Aronsen, yet holding knowledge of ore and boundaries that makes him indispensable and dangerous. He matters because his whims and his memory of old favors turn him into the settlement's strange providence, the one figure who can make or break the valley's future with a signature. ## Relationships ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _friendship_ A benefactor and ally, Geissler admires Isak's steadfastness and helps him secure land and resources. ### [Inger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/inger) _friendship_ Geissler shows kindness and practical support to Inger, especially after her release from prison. ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _friendship_ A benefactor and ally, Geissler admires Isak's steadfastness and helps him secure land and resources. ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _friendship_ A benefactor and ally, Geissler admires Isak's steadfastness and helps him secure land and resources. ### [Inger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/inger) _friendship_ Geissler shows kindness and practical support to Inger, especially after her release from prison. ### [Inger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/inger) _friendship_ Geissler shows kindness and practical support to Inger, especially after her release from prison. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/book-i) Lensmand who names Sellanraa and later returns during drought. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/v) Lensmand Geissler visits to survey and name Sellanraa, sets a low price to benefit Isak, and later leaves the area after financial troubles. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/vii) Geissler is remembered fondly; Isak plans to seek him out in Sweden for help. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/viii) Geissler returns to Sellanraa with mining tools, examines copper samples, and promises to send them for analysis. He offers to help with Inger's pardon and gives Isak money. ### [Geissler's Visit and Inger's Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/x) Geissler visits Sellanraa to buy copper land, delivers news of Inger's possible release, and sends a telegram confirming her freedom. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the ex-lensmand who helped secure Inger's release and bought the copper mine from Isak. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xv) Ex-Lensmand returns poorly dressed but spirited; brings a waterwork that ends the drought; gives his silver tobacco box to little Leopoldine; hurries off to Sweden. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xvii) Arrives with Swedish gentlemen and negotiates the sale of the mine, securing four thousand Kroner for Isak. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/book-ii) The lensmand who names Sellanraa and later returns during a drought, playing a key role in the community's development. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/v) Returns to Sellanraa, dressed finely, and negotiates with mine owners, demanding a high price for his land. ### [Chapter VII: The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/vii) Present in court; his demeanor and a loud 'H'm' bolster Axel's spirits. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/viii) Geissler refuses to sell his mine, causing distress in the district. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/ix) Blamed by villagers for the mine work shifting south; seen as a trickster. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xii) Delivers a long monologue praising the Sellanraa folk as essential to life, criticizing modern gambling and industry, and revealing his plan to buy back the copper mine. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/geissler - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters