# August Strindberg — The Inferno character guide

> August Strindberg in The Inferno by August Strindberg.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Strindberg, August

**First appearance:** 0002-the-inferno

## Who they are

The author who turns his own daily journal into evidence, insisting that his hell on earth is not invention but an elaborated extract of real torment.

## In the story

### [The Inferno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/the-inferno)

The narrator and central figure experiencing the inferno.

### [I: The Hand of the Invisible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/i-the-hand-of-the-invisible)

The narrator and protagonist, who conducts chemical experiments, suffers from burned hands, and experiences isolation and guilt after separating from his wife.

### [II: St. Louis Leads Me to Orfila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/ii-st-louis-leads-me-to-orfila)

The narrator's initials A.S. appear on a dyer's shield, interpreted as an omen; he is the central figure conducting chemical experiments.

### [III: Paradise Regained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/iii-paradise-regained)

Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his happiest period, scientific work, and spiritual formation.

### [IV: The Fall and Paradise Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/iv-the-fall-and-paradise-lost)

Implied as the authorial self; the narrator's actions and thoughts reflect Strindberg's own experiences.

### [V: Purgatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/v-purgatory)

The narrator, experiencing paranoia, spiritual crisis, and scientific obsession at Hôtel Orfila.

### [VI: Hell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/vi-hell)

Strindberg is the author and subject of the narrative, depicted as the narrator undergoing persecution and spiritual crisis.

### [VII: Beatrice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/vii-beatrice)

The narrator, reflecting on his past in Berlin and his journey to Klam, where he is reunited with his daughter and experiences a series of ominous events.

### [VIII: Swedenborg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/viii-swedenborg)

The narrator, who recounts his suffering and discovery of Swedenborg's hell.

### [IX: Extracts from the Diary of a Damned Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/ix-extracts-from-the-diary-of-a-damned-soul)

The narrator, writing from his diary, describes his persecution, alchemical work, and spiritual crisis.

### [X: The Eternal Has Spoken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/x-the-eternal-has-spoken)

The narrator, experiencing poverty, isolation, and spiritual turmoil, interprets a thunderclap as a divine sign.

### [XI: Hell Let Loose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/xi-hell-let-loose)

The narrator and protagonist, tormented by paranoia and supernatural events.

### [XII: Pilgrimage and Penance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/xii-pilgrimage-and-penance)

The narrator, who returns to Sweden in a penitent's costume and seeks expiation.

### [XIII: The Deliverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/xiii-the-deliverer)

The narrator who discovers in Swedenborg's works the explanation for his own torments and spiritual journey.

### [XIV: Tribulations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/xiv-tribulations)

The narrator, reflecting on his own life and struggles.

### [Whither?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/xv-whither)

The narrator, reflecting on his spiritual journey and daily life in Lund.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/epilogue)

The narrator, reflecting on his own life as a sign and proverb.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced as the author of the first autobiography and as the subject of the note about never entering the Roman Church.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/characters/strindberg_august
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_inferno_se/characters