# Captain Christian Bergh — The Story of Gösta Berling character guide

> Captain Christian Bergh in The Story of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Captain Bergh, Christian Bergh, the mighty Captain Christian

**First appearance:** 0005-part-i-i-the-landscape

## Snapshot

A giant of a pensioner with more muscle than conscience, Captain Christian Bergh drinks, brawls, and boasts his way through Värmland's taverns and vicarages.

## Who they are

Captain Bergh is one of Gösta Berling's trusty boon-companions, a landless wayfarer as big as Goliath and, by the narrator's reckoning, as malicious and stupid as a mountain goblin. He solves problems with his fists and his loyalty, and his idea of friendship is to remove an inconvenient bishop so the drinking can continue. His brute devotion to Gösta helps set the minister's downfall in motion and colors the pensioners' reckless brotherhood at Ekeby.

## In the story

### [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/i-the-priest)

The stalwart captain who terrorizes the bishop and deans on their journey, believing he has saved Gösta from dismissal.

### [Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-ii-christmas-eve)

Initially confronts the devil with threats of the forge-hammer, then participates in the bargaining.

### [III: Christmas Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-iii-christmas-day)

In a rage, throws grouse against the wall believing they are crows; later confronts the major's wife and begs forgiveness.

### [The Young Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-young-countess)

Along with Cousin Christopher, breaks the lock and frees the major's wife.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/characters/captain_christian_bergh
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/characters