# Sivert — Growth of the Soil character guide > Sivert in Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** uncle Sivert, little Sivert, Little Sivert, Uncle Sivert, young Sivert, old Sivert **First appearance:** 0007-vii ## Snapshot Isak and Inger's younger son, a practical, good-humored boy who stays on the farm, mends nets, and quietly becomes the settler's true heir. ## Who they are Sivert is the son who remains at Sellanraa while his brother Eleseus drifts toward town life, and he takes on the work his father cannot do alone. Sent by Oline's false message to his dying uncle, he finds old Sivert merely ailing and cantankerous, more interested in testing his nephew's patience than in giving him anything. Too young to feign a graveyard face, Sivert laughs at the old man's complaints and nearly loses his inheritance, yet his steady presence on the land marks him as the future of the farm. ## Relationships ### [Eleseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/eleseus) _family_ Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood. ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _family_ Father and son who share a deep, unspoken understanding and mutual respect for the land and hard work. ### [Oline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/oline) _psychological_ Oline tries to manipulate Sivert with gossip, but he is too shrewd and grounded to fall for her schemes. ### [Eleseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/eleseus) _family_ Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood. ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _family_ Father and son who share a deep, unspoken understanding and mutual respect for the land and hard work. ### [Eleseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/eleseus) _family_ Brothers with contrasting fates—Eleseus the restless city-dreamer, Sivert the grounded farmer—yet bonded by blood. ### [Oline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/oline) _psychological_ Oline tries to manipulate Sivert with gossip, but he is too shrewd and grounded to fall for her schemes. ### [Oline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/oline) _psychological_ Oline tries to manipulate Sivert with gossip, but he is too shrewd and grounded to fall for her schemes. ### [Isak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak) _family_ Father and son who share a deep, unspoken understanding and mutual respect for the land and hard work. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/book-i) Isak and Inger's second son; meets Geissler at the deserted mine. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Inger's uncle, a rich man and district treasurer. He is not present in the chapter but is referenced as part of Inger's family background. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/iv) Newborn second son, described as sturdy and healthy; named after Inger's well-to-do uncle. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/v) Little Sivert receives a bright coin from Geissler as a gift. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/vii) Sivert receives gifts from Fru Geissler along with Eleseus. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/ix) Cries openly when the goat is killed, calling out 'Oh, poor old goat!'; grows up as a splendid fellow in Isak's eyes. ### [Geissler's Visit and Inger's Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/x) Sivert receives a coin from Geissler and wants to ride in the cart; he helps with planting potatoes. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xi) The other son; he joins Eleseus in watching for the family's arrival and initially does not recognize his mother. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xii) Helps with the sawmill, has a knack for hammering nails, and goes to school. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xiii) Keeps the old pair of skis, is less concerned than Eleseus about the engineer's arrival. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xiv) Helps Isak build the boat and works alongside his father and mother in the haymaking. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xv) The sturdy son at home; Geissler asks his name and contrasts him with Eleseus in town. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xvi) Works with his father quarrying stone, discusses the possibility of buying Breidablik for Eleseus, and stays behind to look after the place during the christening. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xvii) Works with Isak on building and witnesses the mine sale documents. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xviii) Jests with Eleseus about the inheritance and helps keep him at Sellanraa. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xix) Helps with the new horse and the mowing-machine; he and Eleseus discuss the machine's adjustments. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/book-ii) The younger son, more practical and connected to the land, stays to help on the farm. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/i) Accompanies Eleseus partway, smiles at his father's ruse with the horse, and exchanges banter about Old Sivert's inheritance. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/iii) Brings news of the new settler Aron and his plans for Storborg; discusses the implications with Axel. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/vi) Sivert returns from church with news of Axel's legal troubles, feels pride in his family's standing, and navigates his own romantic interest in Jensine. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/viii) Sivert supports the purchase of Storborg. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/ix) Observes a pair of ducks by the river, lost in a dream; is perturbed by Jensine's decision to leave Sellanraa. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the one who usually goes on errands instead of Isak, and who helped at Storborg with horses. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xii) Meets Geissler on the road while carrying goods; listens to Geissler's philosophical reflections and reports that his father has built a new house in case Geissler visits. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/sivert - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters