Gösta Berling

The Story of Gösta Berling

The protagonist, a former priest dismissed from his post, now living at Ekeby and grappling with his past sins.

The Priest

The young minister facing dismissal for drunkenness; delivers an inspired sermon but later flees in despair after Captain Bergh's reckless act.

II: The Beggar

The beggar, a dismissed priest contemplating suicide, who is persuaded by Margareta Celsing to live and becomes a guest at Ekeby.

The Landscape

Mentioned as one of the knights of Ekeby who passed their joyous existence in this landscape.

Christmas Eve

Leads the summoning of the devil and negotiates the contract for the seven estates, insisting on gentlemanly conduct.

III: Christmas Day

Sits gloomily at the pensioners' table, meditating revenge; feels guilty over Ebba Dohna's suicide and does not help the major's wife.

Gösta Berling, Poet

The poet-cavalier, fitted out for the ball, drives Anna Stjärnhök and ultimately elopes with her.

VI: The Ball at Ekeby

Kisses Marianne during the tableau, feels wounded by her shame at loving him, and retreats to the card room.

VIII: The Great Bear in Gurlitta Cliff

Refuses to shoot the bear, moved by pity and thoughts of Marianne Sinclair.

IX: The Auction at Björne

Visits the auction at Björne, speaks with Madame Gustava, and learns of Marianne's illness; hints at further trouble with the Broby clergyman.

The Young Countess

Experiences a revelation about the countess's noble soul and vows to be her servant; later abducts her in a sledge.

Ghost-Stories

Passive in the confrontation; later found chatting calmly with Sintram at Berga.

Ebba Dohna's Story

Defends himself against the countess's accusations, claiming he believed she knew his history, and leaves after being scorned.

XIII: Mamselle Marie

Mentioned as having read a poem to the countess at Borg and being forbidden from her house, leading to his gloomy forebodings upon seeing Countess Märta arrive.

II: The Paths of Life

Plans to marry the broom-girl as an act of self-destruction; is stopped by the young countess and reconciles with her.

III: Penitence

Though absent, Gösta is the object of Elizabeth's love and the cause of her guilt; his presumed death triggers her desperate confession.

The Iron from Ekeby

Takes the lead in investigating the six mines and confronting the pensioners about the lack of iron.

VIII: Madame Musica

Deeply depressed after helping the young countess escape; cannot be cheered by music until Löwenborg's devotion moves him to laugh again.

Patron Julius

Mentioned as one of the pensioners who may have arranged the substitution of the ox for the horse.

XI: The Plaster Saints

Implied as one of the pensioners who carry Count Dohna out of the church, acting on behalf of the community's judgment.

XVI: The Drought

Gösta encounters the Broby clergyman and inspires him to pray for rain, reflecting on his own failures and the possibility of redemption.

XVII: The Child’s Mother

Agrees to marry Elizabeth von Thurn out of a sense of sacrifice, despite his despair and love for her; he feels he is ruining her life.

XIX: The Broom-Girl

The mad priest whose jesting engagement to the broom-girl led to her disappearance and the mob's anger.

Kevenhüller

Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but as a pensioner at Ekeby, he is part of the group that shelters the wood-nymph; referenced indirectly.

Broby Fair

One of the pensioners who painted Captain Lennart's face, contributing to the misunderstanding; he is present at Helgesäter and leaves humiliated.

The Forest Cottage

Bound and lying on the floor of the forest cottage, he recounts his suicidal pact with Sintram and his remorse over Captain Lennart's death.

Margareta Celsing

Kneels by the major's wife's bed, refuses her offer of Ekeby, and declares his intention to live humbly as a country fiddler, atoning for his sins by bringing pleasure to the poor.