The Story of Gösta Berling · Character

Sintram

A malevolent ironmaster who savors others' misfortune, Sintram moves through Värmland's estates like a quiet curse dressed in fine clothes.

supporting

Also known as old Sintram, the wicked Sintram, Madame Sintram

First appearance: part i ii christmas eve

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

A malevolent figure who tempts and manipulates Gösta, representing the darker forces in his life.

In the storyThe Story of Gösta BerlingOpen this moment free

Sintram is the ironmaster whose wealth and malice give him a strange authority among the gentry and pensioners of Värmland, and he uses both to stir up trouble wherever boredom or old grudges leave an opening. He takes a craftsman's pleasure in watching proud people fall, and his whispered bargains often cost his victims more than they realize. His meddling shapes the early misfortunes that drive Gösta and the Ekeby household toward their reckoning.

See Sintram in The Story of Gösta Berling Book page

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

Character Web

19 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Ekeby Pensioners Core
Protagonist
Simple and Noble Souls

+14 more in the full Character Web

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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.

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Relationships

Marianne Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary. How this plays out →
Melchior Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Marianne Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary. How this plays out →
Melchior Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Melchior Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Marianne Sinclair
rivalry · negative
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary. How this plays out →

Marianne Sinclair
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary.
Melchior Sinclair
Bitter enemies who scheme against each other, representing opposing forces in the community.
Marianne Sinclair
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary.
Melchior Sinclair
Bitter enemies who scheme against each other, representing opposing forces in the community.
Melchior Sinclair
Bitter enemies who scheme against each other, representing opposing forces in the community.
Marianne Sinclair
Marianne opposes Sintram's malicious schemes and stands as his moral adversary.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sintram in part i ii christmas eve

In the story

Sintram appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Story of Gösta Berling
A malevolent figure who tempts and manipulates Gösta, representing the darker forces in his life.
VII: The Old Vehicles
Sintram is noted as having planted hate among the pensioners, contributing to their cruelty.
IX: The Auction at Björne
Observes the auction with glee, taunting Gösta about the chaos he has caused.
The Young Countess
Present among the crowd observing the count's humiliation.
Ghost-Stories
Revealed as a diabolical figure; marries Ulrika Dillner and is associated with supernatural omens.
VII: Midsummer
The wicked ironmaster who, enraged by the Midsummer joy, drives to church in a sleigh dressed in wolfskin, disrupts the service, and later shakes his fist at the landscape, vowing to bring ruin to the land.
God's Wayfarer
Framed Lennart for theft; tricks him with sacks of sand instead of grain.
Kevenhüller
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.
Broby Fair
Mentioned as one of the guilty parties in the plot against Captain Lennart.
The Forest Cottage
The wicked Sintram manipulates Gösta into promising to kill himself, revealing his mad desire to destroy the region.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sintram unlock in the free preview.

See Sintram in part i ii christmas eve

See Sintram in The Story of Gösta Berling