# XV explained — Growth of the Soil > Chapter companion for Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun. ## What happens A turning point at Sellanraa: Inger returns to her earnest self after a confrontation with Isak. Geissler visits during a drought, bringing no grand schemes but a waterwork that saves the crops. Brede Olsen's idle nature and obsession with ore contrast with Axel Ström's practical industry. Brede schemes to place his daughter Barbro as help for Axel. ## Themes in this chapter ### Community and Isolation Geissler's visit brings life and hope; Brede's longing for village society contrasts with Isak's rootedness; the growing settlement now has a school and seven holdings. ### Progress and Modernity Geissler's waterwork as a technological marvel that saves the crops; the sawmill and irrigation channels represent practical progress; Brede's obsession with ore hints at industrial change. ### Family and Generational Change Inger's transformation back to a settler's wife; Isak's sons taking different paths—Sivert at home, Eleseus in town; Brede's schemes for Barbro's future. ## Character check-ins ### Isak Humbled after his harsh grip on Inger; steadfast in his natural place on the soil; welcomes Geissler and shows him the sawmill. ### Inger Returns to earnest settler's wife after being set in her place; grateful to Geissler for his help in Trondhjem; prepares a generous parcel for his journey. ### Geissler Ex-Lensmand returns poorly dressed but spirited; brings a waterwork that ends the drought; gives his silver tobacco box to little Leopoldine; hurries off to Sweden. ### Sivert The sturdy son at home; Geissler asks his name and contrasts him with Eleseus in town. ### Brede Olsen Neglects his farm and telegraph duties, obsessed with ore; schemes to place Barbro as help for Axel Ström; idle and homesick for village life. ### Axel Ström Visits Sellanraa to see the waterwork; plans to dig irrigation channels on his own land; has secured Barbro as summer help. ## Key lines > It was a strange evening altogether: a turning-point. That evening marked a decisive change in their lives. _Sets the tone for Inger's reformation and the chapter's pivotal events._ > To think that a man's hard grip could work such wonders! It was remarkable how Isak's firm hand had corrected Inger's behavior. _Reflects the physical and psychological dynamic between Isak and Inger._ > Geissler himself had no troubles that could be seen; he grew talkative at once, looked out over the fields and nodded. He carried himself upright as ever, and looked as if he had several hundreds of Daler in his pockets. Despite his shabby appearance, Geissler acted confidently and cheerfully, as if he were wealthy. _Highlights Geissler's resilient and enigmatic character._ > It doesn't pay to work your soil overmuch,' he had said. 'Look at Isak up there; he's dug and dug about so long that at last he's had to water the whole ground.' Brede mocked Isak's hard work, claiming it led to unnecessary irrigation. _Illustrates Brede's lazy and dismissive attitude toward farming._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters/xv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/chapters