# Love and Sacrifice in The Story of Gösta Berling

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

Romantic love drives characters to both self-destruction and selflessness, exemplified by Marianne Sinclair's forbidden kiss with Gösta, Countess Elizabeth's confession to save him, and Anna Stjärnhök's arranged marriage.

## Where it surfaces

- [Gösta Berling, Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-iv-g-sta-berling-poet): Anna sacrifices her engagement and social standing for her love of Gösta, while Gösta risks his reputation.
- [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): Marianne's internal conflict between her love for Gösta and the social disgrace of being associated with him, culminating in her shame and a weak embrace.
- [IX: The Auction at Björne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-ix-the-auction-at-bj-rne): Marianne's unsent verses and her longing for Gösta's love highlight the theme of love and the sacrifice of pride.
- [The Young Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-young-countess): Gösta's vow to serve the countess and his refusal to let her kiss his hand reflect a sacrificial devotion.
- [Ebba Dohna's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xii-ebba-dohna-s-story): Ebba Dohna sacrifices her life rather than marry Gösta, whom she cannot love as she loves God; Anna sacrifices her friendship with Elizabeth to protect Gösta.
- [XIII: Mamselle Marie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-mamselle-marie): Mamselle Marie's unrequited love for the young organ-builder leads her to publicly express her devotion, accepting the pain of love as better than life without it.
- [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 risks her life, honor, and reputation to save Gösta, demonstrating sacrificial love.
- [III: Penitence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-penitence): Elizabeth's love for Gösta drives her to sacrifice her reputation and endure humiliation, while her husband's love is quenched by suspicion and pride.
- [IX: The Broby Clergyman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-the-broby-clergyman): The noblewoman's journey and the clergyman's efforts to prepare his home for her visit highlight the power of love to inspire sacrifice and temporary change.
- [XIV: Old Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-old-songs): Madame Gustava's enduring love for Melchior, despite his harshness, and Marianne's decision to break her engagement for the sake of freedom and peace.
- [XV: Death, the Deliverer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-death-the-deliverer): Anna Stjärnhök's self-sacrifice at the grave, vowing never to belong to another, and the mother's agonizing prayer for her son's death to spare him heartbreak.
- [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 marries Gösta not out of love but to give her child a father, sacrificing her own reputation and future. Gösta marries her despite his despair, sacrificing his own desires for her sake.
- [XVIII: Amor Vincit Omnia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-amor-vincit-omnia): Eberhard sacrifices his own fame and the publication of his work to preserve the young countess's faith in love and God, illustrating love's omnipotence.
- [XIX: The Broom-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-the-broom-girl): Elizabeth's love for Gösta leads her to sacrifice her pride and endure shame, while Gösta's jesting love causes harm.
- [Margareta Celsing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-margareta-celsing): Countess Elizabeth chooses to stay with Gösta in poverty rather than return to her homeland, and Gösta refuses wealth to remain with the poor.

## Links

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