# Guilt and Remorse in The Story of Gösta Berling

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

Characters are haunted by past actions, such as Captain Lennart's war trauma, the Broby clergyman's avarice, and Gösta's role in the captain's death, leading to psychological torment and attempts at atonement.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: The Beggar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/ii-the-beggar): Gösta's guilt over his past and his suicidal thoughts are central; Margareta also expresses remorse for her lost innocence and the person she once was.
- [III: Christmas Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-iii-christmas-day): Gösta Berling is consumed by guilt over Ebba Dohna's suicide, which prevents him from acting to help the major's wife.
- [VI: The Ball at Ekeby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-ball-at-ekeby): Gösta's guilt and self-loathing after Marianne's words, feeling that being loved by him is a disgrace worse than death.
- [VII: The Old Vehicles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-vii-the-old-vehicles): The major's wife is burdened by her mother's curse, driving her actions to seek redemption for her home.
- [VIII: The Great Bear in Gurlitta Cliff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-great-bear-in-gurlitta-cliff): Gösta feels guilt and pity for the persecuted bear, seeing it as a fellow victim of hatred and violence.
- [Ghost-Stories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xi-ghost-stories): Anna Stjärnhök feels bitter remorse after sacrificing her beloved; Ulrika Dillner is consumed by shame and regret for marrying Sintram.
- [Ebba Dohna's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xii-ebba-dohna-s-story): Anna Stjärnhök is consumed by guilt after revealing Ebba's story and causing Gösta's rejection, while Gösta himself carries the burden of Ebba's death.
- [XIII: Mamselle Marie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-mamselle-marie): Countess Märta's lack of remorse after humiliating Mamselle Marie contrasts with the young countess's attempt to make amends, highlighting differing responses to guilt.
- [II: The Paths of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-the-paths-of-life): The countess is driven by guilt for condemning Gösta, and her remorse compels her to act despite the dangers.
- [III: Penitence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-penitence): Elizabeth is consumed by guilt for loving Gösta Berling, leading her to confess and embrace suffering as a form of penance, believing pain is the only path to purity.
- [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 feel the weight of their failures as they witness nature's scorn and the threat to Ekeby's reputation, driving their desperate plan.
- [The Witch of Dovre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-the-witch-of-dovre): The narrator expresses guilt for portraying Countess Märta harshly, reflecting on how a starved soul turns destructive, linking to remorse.
- [XI: The Plaster Saints](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-the-plaster-saints): Count Dohna's attempt to whitewash the church is a public act of penance for his cruel treatment of his wife, yet his pride undermines his repentance.
- [XIII: The Churchyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-the-churchyard): Acquilon's suicide and burial outside the churchyard highlight themes of guilt, societal judgment, and the desire for atonement.
- [XIV: Old Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-old-songs): Marianne struggles with guilt over her hatred for her father, and later feels remorse when he suffers a stroke, leading to a change in her heart.
- [XV: Death, the Deliverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-death-the-deliverer): The captain's wife confesses her guilt in praying for her son's death, and Anna struggles with remorse over her lack of true love for Ferdinand.
- [XVI: The Drought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-the-drought): Both Gösta and the clergyman grapple with guilt over their past failures, and the clergyman's prayer is driven by remorse for his sins.
- [XVII: The Child’s Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-the-child-s-mother): Elizabeth is driven by guilt over depriving her child of a father, while Gösta feels remorse for his past and for potentially ruining Elizabeth's life.
- [XIX: The Broom-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-the-broom-girl): Gösta feels guilt over the broom-girl's fate, and Elizabeth is consumed by shame for her past love.
- [Broby Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-broby-fair): Beerencreutz and Gösta Berling feel guilt for their prank; the community's testimony highlights the weight of remorse and the need for atonement.
- [The Forest Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-the-forest-cottage): Gösta is driven by overwhelming guilt over Captain Lennart's death, leading him to a suicidal pact and self-destructive wandering.

## Links

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