The Story of Gösta Berling · Character

Countess Märta Dohna

A proud, scheming matriarch who will sacrifice her own daughter-in-law's honor to keep the Dohna name spotless and her household under her thumb.

supporting

Also known as the young Countess Dohna, Countess Dohna, Märta Dohna, Countess Märta

First appearance: part i x the young countess

As a supporting figure in The Story of Gösta Berling, Countess Märta Dohna is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Sits at the big table, her low laugh rings out during the dinner.

In the storyIII: Christmas DayOpen this moment free

Countess Märta rules the Dohna family with cold elegance, and when her son Henrik brings home the young Countess Elizabeth, she sees a rival rather than a daughter. She spreads poison about Elizabeth's midnight wanderings with Gösta Berling, twisting innocent acts into scandal to drive the girl from her home. Her manipulations matter because they force Elizabeth into the moral crucible at the heart of the novel, where love, shame, and the courage to confess collide.

See Countess Märta Dohna in III: Christmas Day Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Countess Märta Dohna sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Wealthy and Influential Families
Ekeby Pensioners Core

Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

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 reading

In the story

Countess Märta Dohna appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: Christmas Day
Sits at the big table, her low laugh rings out during the dinner.
Ebba Dohna's Story
Mentioned as Ebba's mother, who pressured Ebba to marry Gösta despite his past.
XIII: Mamselle Marie
The far-famed countess who arrives at Borg, befriends Mamselle Marie, then publicly humiliates her by mimicking her farewell song.
I: Cousin Christopher
The object of Cousin Christopher's affection; her mockery of poverty leads to his rejection of her.
II: The Paths of Life
The young countess's mother-in-law, who would not permit her to drive to Ekeby.
III: Penitence
Märta manipulates her son Henrik into believing Elizabeth is unfaithful, then takes control of Elizabeth's punishment, subjecting her to psychological torment.
The Iron from Ekeby
Accompanies her son in the search and correctly deduces that the young countess is on the pensioners' barge.
The Witch of Dovre
Mistress at Borg; refuses the witch's demand and is cursed, leading to a siege of magpies that drives her to terror and despair.
XI: The Plaster Saints
Flees Borg with her son after the incident, trembling and veiled, unable to bear the shame.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Countess Märta Dohna unlock in the free preview.

See Countess Märta Dohna in part i x the young countess

See Countess Märta Dohna in III: Christmas Day