The Story of Gösta Berling · Chapter
III: Christmas Day explained
On Christmas Day, the major's wife hosts a grand dinner at Ekeby, but the pensioners are seated at a separate table, feeling humiliated.
What happens
On Christmas Day, the major's wife hosts a grand dinner at Ekeby, but the pensioners are seated at a separate table, feeling humiliated. Captain Christian Bergh, believing the grouse served to them are crows, throws them against the wall in rage. The major's wife orders him out, but he confronts her about her past with Altringer. Major Samzelius, learning of her infidelity, drives her from Ekeby. The pensioners, recalling Sintram's prophecy, believe she is a witch and that their contract with the devil is coming true. Gösta Berling remains silent, burdened by guilt over Ebba Dohna's suicide.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Power
The pensioners are seated separately at the dinner, highlighting their lower status and the major's wife's dominance over them.
Guilt and Remorse
Gösta Berling is consumed by guilt over Ebba Dohna's suicide, which prevents him from acting to help the major's wife.
Fate and Free Will
The pensioners believe Sintram's prophecy is unfolding, seeing the major's wife's fall as inevitable and tied to their devil's contract.
Characters to notice
- Gösta Berling
Sits gloomily at the pensioners' table, meditating revenge; feels guilty over Ebba Dohna's suicide and does not help the major's wife.
- Marianne Sinclair
Present at the big table, her beautiful eyes shine among the guests.
- Countess Märta Dohna
Sits at the big table, her low laugh rings out during the dinner.
- Captain Christian Bergh
In a rage, throws grouse against the wall believing they are crows; later confronts the major's wife and begs forgiveness.
- Major Samzelius
Drives his wife from Ekeby after learning of her past with Altringer; later installs the pensioners to rule over the estate.
- Margareta Celsing
The major's wife, hostess of the dinner, is publicly humiliated and driven out; she shows strength and refuses to let Captain Christian become a murderer.
Key passages
“She rustles in silk, gold weighs on her bare arms, pearls cool her white neck.”
She is dressed in luxurious silk and adorned with gold and pearls.
Describes the major's wife's opulent appearance at the Christmas dinner.
“They forgot the night in the smithy as one forgets an evil dream.”
The pensioners put the previous night's events out of their minds like a bad dream.
Shows the pensioners' temporary relief from their earlier revelry.
“She fell, but she was not without greatness in her fall.”
Though she was brought down, she maintained her dignity and strength.
Reflects on the major's wife's noble character even in defeat.