# Social Class and Power in The Story of Gösta Berling

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

The rigid class structure of early 19th-century Sweden is explored through the pensioners' dependence on the major's wife, the Broby clergyman's poverty, and the contrast between wealthy ironworks owners and destitute peasants.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: The Beggar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/ii-the-beggar): The contrast between the wealthy Ekeby and the poverty of the Broby clergyman's family, as well as Margareta's influence as the most powerful woman in Värmland, underscores class divisions.
- [III: Christmas Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-iii-christmas-day): The pensioners are seated separately at the dinner, highlighting their lower status and the major's wife's dominance over them.
- [Gösta Berling, Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-iv-g-sta-berling-poet): Anna's wealth makes her a target; Gösta's poverty and status as a defrocked priest shape his actions.
- [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 high status as a famed beauty contrasts with Gösta's reputation, highlighting the social barriers to their love.
- [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's fall from power and her struggle to reclaim Ekeby illustrate the fragility of social status and the use of authority.
- [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): Melchior Sinclair's auction of family heirlooms symbolizes the destruction of social status and the power dynamics within the family.
- [The Young Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-young-countess): Count Henrik Dohna asserts his authority over his wife, while the pensioners challenge social hierarchies through abduction and defiance.
- [Ebba Dohna's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xii-ebba-dohna-s-story): Gösta's status as a dismissed priest and homeless adventurer makes him unworthy in the eyes of Countess Elizabeth and Ebba's mother, despite his personal qualities.
- [XIII: Mamselle Marie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-mamselle-marie): The power imbalance between the aristocratic Countess Märta and the poor Mamselle Marie is starkly shown when the countess cruelly mocks her without consequence.
- [I: Cousin Christopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-i-cousin-christopher): The contrast between Cousin Christopher's past glory and his current poverty, and Countess Märta's mockery of poverty, underscore class and power dynamics.
- [III: Penitence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-penitence): Countess Märta wields her authority over Elizabeth through social rank and manipulation, highlighting the power dynamics within noble households.
- [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' neglect of the ironworks threatens the economic and social standing of Ekeby, highlighting the intersection of class, honor, and responsibility.
- [The Witch of Dovre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-the-witch-of-dovre): Countess Märta's dismissal of the witch as a 'beggar-woman' highlights class arrogance, while the witch's power over fear subverts social hierarchy.
- [VII: Midsummer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-midsummer): Sintram's wealth and feared status allow him to disrupt the church service and intimidate the congregation, demonstrating the power of the ironmaster class over the local community.
- [God's Wayfarer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-god-s-wayfarer): Sintram's wealth and manipulation contrast with the poverty of the peasants and Lennart's fall from grace.
- [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's fall from nobility to peasant life highlights class divisions; her marriage to Gösta, a disgraced priest, further underscores the loss of social standing.

## Links

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