# Community and Belonging in The Story of Gösta Berling

> Theme guide for The Story of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf.

The pensioners at Ekeby form a surrogate family bound by shared revelry and misfortune, while outcasts like the gypsies and the Broby clergyman's daughter highlight the pain of social exclusion.

## Where it surfaces

- [VII: The Old Vehicles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-vii-the-old-vehicles): The pensioners' persecution of the major's wife and their eventual shame reflect the breakdown of community bonds.
- [Ghost-Stories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xi-ghost-stories): Ulrika Dillner's longing for her old life at Berga and her isolation at Fors highlight the pain of losing community.
- [The Iron from Ekeby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-iron-from-ekeby): The pensioners unite to protect the honor of Ekeby and later shelter the young countess, showing a sense of collective identity and loyalty.
- [Lilliecrona's Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-v-lilliecrona-s-home): Lilliecrona's home represents a peaceful, harmonious community, contrasting with the chaotic life at Ekeby.
- [VIII: Madame Musica](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-madame-musica): The pensioners unite to lift Gösta's spirits through music, showing the power of collective care and shared purpose.
- [Patron Julius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-x-patron-julius): Patron Julius's repeated attempts to leave Ekeby are thwarted by the strong bonds of friendship and the allure of communal life, as seen in his return after a day with the girls.
- [XI: The Plaster Saints](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-the-plaster-saints): The congregation and pensioners collectively reject Dohna's hypocrisy, affirming their own moral authority over the church.
- [XIII: The Churchyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-the-churchyard): The pensioners' visit to Acquilon's grave demonstrates a deep bond of loyalty and belonging, even beyond death and social rejection.
- [XIX: The Broom-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-the-broom-girl): The community unites to search for the lost girl, and later the pensioners use hospitality to defuse the mob's anger.
- [Broby Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-broby-fair): The crowd at Helgesäter testifies to Captain Lennart's kindness, showing the community's collective grief and support.
- [Margareta Celsing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-margareta-celsing): The district is transformed by mutual aid and goodwill, with everyone working together to relieve suffering and hasten the coming of God's Kingdom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/themes/community_and_belonging
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/themes