# Count Golm — The Breaking of the Storm character guide > Count Golm in The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Count von Golm, Count, Golm, von Golm **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot An old-island nobleman whose debts and divided nature—half grand seigneur, half speculator—make him both a suitor for Elsa and a prize for schemers. ## Who they are Count Golm belongs to one of the oldest families on the island, a line that once rivalled the Princes of Prora but has been sliding downhill through generations of extravagance. He inherited a mass of debts and a curious blend of ancestral frugality and extravagance, and he now finds himself courted by railway promoters who need a noble name to draw in island shareholders. His wealth, his name, and his need for money make him a pivot in the social and financial manoeuvring that surrounds Elsa and the Werbens. ## Relationships ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _psychological_ Count Golm is obsessively fixated on Elsa, viewing her as an object of possession and manipulation. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla is Count Golm's lover, entangled in a passionate but manipulative and ultimately destructive affair. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _rivalry_ Count Golm sees Reinhold as a direct threat to his designs on Elsa, leading to intense antagonism. ### [Councillor Schieler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/councillor_schieler) _professional_ Councillor Schieler is Count Golm's corrupt and sycophantic legal advisor, enabling his schemes. ### [Signor Giraldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/signor_giraldi) _professional_ Signor Giraldi is Count Golm's Italian servant and accomplice, carrying out his master's dubious orders. ### [Councillor Schieler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/councillor_schieler) _professional_ Councillor Schieler is Count Golm's corrupt and sycophantic legal advisor, enabling his schemes. ### [Signor Giraldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/signor_giraldi) _professional_ Signor Giraldi is Count Golm's Italian servant and accomplice, carrying out his master's dubious orders. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla is Count Golm's lover, entangled in a passionate but manipulative and ultimately destructive affair. ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _psychological_ Count Golm is obsessively fixated on Elsa, viewing her as an object of possession and manipulation. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _rivalry_ Count Golm sees Reinhold as a direct threat to his designs on Elsa, leading to intense antagonism. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla is Count Golm's lover, entangled in a passionate but manipulative and ultimately destructive affair. ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _psychological_ Count Golm is obsessively fixated on Elsa, viewing her as an object of possession and manipulation. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Count Golm is mentioned as the owner of a nearby castle whose hospitality the President hopes to rely on. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Arrives at the farmhouse in his carriage, greeted warmly by the President. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Welcomes the party to Golmberg, offers hospitality, and promises to send a doctor to Frau Pölitz. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) Arranges the carriage procession; his servant boasts of his lifestyle. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Host of the gathering at Golmberg Castle, who arranges for the von Strummins to join and invites Reinhold to supper. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) Hosts the dinner, grows increasingly irritated by Reinhold's presence and popularity, drinks heavily, and challenges Reinhold's patriotism. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Offers Reinhold a carriage for his journey, which is politely declined. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as host of a gathering where Reinhold expressed his political opinions. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Arrives at the exhibition and is introduced to the Wallbach family; engages in conversation with Carla and Herr von Wallbach. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Count Golm is with the Princess and Elsa, recognized by Reinhold but does not greet him. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiv) Engages in strategic planning with the Councillor, proposing a masterful scheme to acquire the Warnow estate and marry Elsa von Werben. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xv) Guest of honor, shown the art collection, and subtly maneuvered into a business discussion about the railway project. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-iii) Rides into the storm with Carla, a dramatic act that underscores his reckless nature. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Count Golm is mentioned as being in love with Elsa and as having had an altercation with Captain Schmidt at Golmberg. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Count Golm is mentioned as a potential buyer of the property and a possible suitor for Elsa, with interests in the harbor project. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) Count Golm enters in uniform and is snubbed by Elsa; later he avoids Reinhold and eventually gives a curt greeting. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Flirts with Carla, leaning over her sofa, and bows in admiration of her Wagnerian eloquence. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) Escorts Carla to supper but is outshone by Ottomar in conversation and wit. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-iv) Emerges as a key figure in the unfolding events. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) The subject of the estate sale discussion; his financial difficulties are noted. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Manipulated by Giraldi; considers marriage to secure family position; feels amused by Ottomar's jealousy. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Enters the drawing-room unexpectedly, becoming the center of attention. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Visits Carla, expresses his passion for her, and is advised by her to marry someone else; later pays half a million for a concession. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Dines at Warnow, makes sarcastic comments about Reinhold, argues with Strummin about a debt, and rides off with Carla. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Count Golm is observed in an intimate moment with Carla, confirming Elsa's suspicions about his audacity. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Count Golm visited Carla and is suspected of maliciously spreading the secret of Elsa's engagement. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/book-vi) A figure of ambition and speculation, his actions reflect the theme of individual vs. society. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Rides recklessly into the storm with Carla, prioritizing his own plans over her safety; his cowardice and self-interest become apparent when he abandons her in the face of danger. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xv) Rescued but agitated, refuses to be near others, flees like Cain. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/count_golm - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters