Character guide

Isak

major

Also known as Isak Sellanraa, III Isak, That Isak, Sellanraa, XI Isak, XIX Isak

A determined settler who carves a farm out of the Norwegian wilderness.

Inger

major

Also known as Inger Sellanraa, II Inger, Poor Inger, That Inger

Isak's wife, a strong woman who faces personal tragedy and societal judgment.

Axel Ström

supporting

Also known as Axel

A neighboring farmer whose life becomes entangled with Barbro and the land.

Geissler

supporting

Also known as Lensmand Geissler, the Lensmand, Fru Geissler, Ex-Lensmand Geissler

A former sheriff who becomes a mysterious benefactor to Isak and the community.

Eleseus

supporting

Also known as Little Eleseus, boy Eleseus, XVII Eleseus, Poor Eleseus

Isak and Inger's eldest son, who struggles with city life and ambition.

Barbro

supporting

Also known as Brede, little Barbro, Brede's girl Barbro, Fröken Barbro Bredesen

Brede Olsen's daughter, a headstrong young woman involved with Axel Ström.

Oline

supporting

Also known as old Oline, the imperishable Oline, Poor Oline

A gossipy and manipulative old woman who causes trouble in the community.

Sivert

supporting

Also known as uncle Sivert, little Sivert, Little Sivert, Uncle Sivert, young Sivert, old Sivert

Isak and Inger's younger son, who stays on the farm and becomes its heir.

Brede Olsen

supporting

Also known as Brede

A lazy neighbor who fails as a farmer and later works for the mining company.

Aronsen

minor

Also known as Trader Aronsen

A local trader and merchant in the village.

Heyerdahl

minor

Also known as the Lensmand, Lensmand Heyerdahl, Fru Heyerdahl, Fru Lensmand Heyerdahl

The new sheriff who replaces Geissler and deals with local disputes.

Andresen

minor

Also known as Chief Clerk Andresen, Little Andresen

A clerk working for the mining company in the village.

Leopoldine

minor

Also known as Little Leopoldine, little Leopoldine, tiny Leopoldine

Isak and Inger's youngest daughter, who grows up on the farm.

Gustaf

minor

Also known as Young Gustaf, Gustaf the Swede

A Swedish laborer who works on various farms in the district.

Os-Anders

minor

Also known as Os-Anders the Lapp, the Lapp, Lapp

A Lapp (Sami) man who occasionally passes through the settlement.

Jensine

minor

Also known as this Jensine

A servant girl who works for Axel Ström and later marries Sivert.

Rebecca

minor

Also known as little Rebecca, Little Rebecca

A young girl who appears briefly in the later part of the story.

Fredrik Ström

minor

Also known as Fredrik

Axel Ström's brother, who visits and helps with the farm work.

Aron

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing in the community.

Katrine

minor

Also known as little Katrine

A young woman briefly mentioned in the narrative.

Helge

minor

A minor character, possibly a worker or neighbor.

Hjalmar

minor

A minor character mentioned in the later chapters.