# Growth of the Soil — Character guide

> Key figures in Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun.

- [Isak](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/isak.md): A determined settler who carves a farm out of the Norwegian wilderness.
- [Inger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/inger.md): Isak's wife, a strong woman who faces personal tragedy and societal judgment.
- [Axel Ström](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/axel_strom.md): A neighboring farmer whose life becomes entangled with Barbro and the land.
- [Geissler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/geissler.md): A former sheriff who becomes a mysterious benefactor to Isak and the community.
- [Eleseus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/eleseus.md): Isak and Inger's eldest son, who struggles with city life and ambition.
- [Barbro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/barbro.md): Brede Olsen's daughter, a headstrong young woman involved with Axel Ström.
- [Oline](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/oline.md): A gossipy and manipulative old woman who causes trouble in the community.
- [Sivert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/sivert.md): Isak and Inger's younger son, who stays on the farm and becomes its heir.
- [Brede Olsen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/brede_olsen.md): A lazy neighbor who fails as a farmer and later works for the mining company.
- [Aronsen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/aronsen.md): A local trader and merchant in the village.
- [Heyerdahl](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/heyerdahl.md): The new sheriff who replaces Geissler and deals with local disputes.
- [Andresen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/andresen.md): A clerk working for the mining company in the village.
- [Leopoldine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/leopoldine.md): Isak and Inger's youngest daughter, who grows up on the farm.
- [Gustaf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/gustaf.md): A Swedish laborer who works on various farms in the district.
- [Os-Anders](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/os_anders.md): A Lapp (Sami) man who occasionally passes through the settlement.
- [Jensine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/jensine.md): A servant girl who works for Axel Ström and later marries Sivert.
- [Rebecca](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/rebecca.md): A young girl who appears briefly in the later part of the story.
- [Fredrik Ström](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/fredrik_strom.md): Axel Ström's brother, who visits and helps with the farm work.
- [Aron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/aron.md): A minor character mentioned in passing in the community.
- [Katrine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/katrine.md): A young woman briefly mentioned in the narrative.
- [Helge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/helge.md): A minor character, possibly a worker or neighbor.
- [Hjalmar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters/hjalmar.md): A minor character mentioned in the later chapters.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/growth_of_the_soil_se/characters