The Story of Gösta Berling · Chapter
Kevenhüller explained
Kevenhüller, a master inventor, is haunted by a wood-nymph who grants him the ability to create wondrous but singular marvels.
What happens
Kevenhüller, a master inventor, is haunted by a wood-nymph who grants him the ability to create wondrous but singular marvels. After destroying his automatic carriage rather than give it to the king, he becomes a stonecutter, then builds a flying machine but crashes when attacking the wood-nymph. He later arrives at Ekeby, where he recognizes the wood-nymph disguised as a distressed woman. In despair, he creates a fire-wheel (a sun) but plans to burn down Ekeby to kill her. However, the wood-nymph saves the wheel, and Kevenhüller begs for release from his curse.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Marianne’s act of burning her letters and diaries signifies an emotional and psychological peak where she cons…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nature and the Supernatural
The wood-nymph embodies the supernatural, granting Kevenhüller magical abilities but cursing him with isolation and despair, reflecting the tension between human ambition and natural forces.
- Duality of Human Nature
Kevenhüller oscillates between creative genius and destructive madness, torn between his desire to benefit humanity and his inability to share his wonders.
- Redemption and Penitence
Kevenhüller seeks release from his curse and longs for ordinary, sensible work, suggesting a desire for redemption from the burden of his supernatural gift.
Characters to notice
- Kevenhüller
The protagonist of the chapter, a master inventor cursed by a wood-nymph; he creates an automatic carriage, a flying machine, and a fire-wheel, but is driven to despair and attempts to burn Ekeby.
- Sintram
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but the wood-nymph's presence at Ekeby is noted; Sintram is a pensioner at Ekeby, though not explicitly in this chapter.
- Gösta Berling
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but as a pensioner at Ekeby, he is part of the group that shelters the wood-nymph; referenced indirectly.
- Beerencreutz
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but as a pensioner at Ekeby, he is part of the group that serves the wood-nymph; referenced indirectly.
Key passages
“He drove it with such speed against the palace wall that it was broken into a thousand pieces.”
He crashed the carriage into the palace wall, shattering it completely.
Kevenhüller destroys his own creation rather than give it to the king.
“Kevenhüller is going to fly!”
Kevenhüller is about to take flight!
Street boys announce Kevenhüller's attempt to fly with his mechanical wings.
“Kevenhüller had made a sun.”
Kevenhüller had created a sun-like wheel that gives off light and heat.
His final invention is a fire-wheel meant to illuminate and warm the world.
“I have never wished you any harm. I gave you”
I never intended to hurt you. I gave you
The wood-nymph claims she meant no harm, but Kevenhüller sees her as a curse.
