The Story of Gösta Berling · Chapter
Ghost-Stories explained
Anna Stjärnhök confronts Sintram in a tense exchange over Gösta Berling, using a cryptic warning about a figure in a rocking-chair to force him to leave.
What happens
Anna Stjärnhök confronts Sintram in a tense exchange over Gösta Berling, using a cryptic warning about a figure in a rocking-chair to force him to leave. Later, at Berga, she faints upon finding Sintram and Gösta already there. The chapter recounts Sintram's diabolical reputation, his marriage to Ulrika Dillner, and her lonely, despairing polka-playing at Fors.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Supernatural
Sintram is associated with demonic omens: a black dog with fiery eyes, black bulls drawing his carriage, and ghostly heralds.
Guilt and Remorse
Anna Stjärnhök feels bitter remorse after sacrificing her beloved; Ulrika Dillner is consumed by shame and regret for marrying Sintram.
Community and Belonging
Ulrika Dillner's longing for her old life at Berga and her isolation at Fors highlight the pain of losing community.
Characters to notice
- Anna Stjärnhök
Sacrifices her beloved to protect Gösta's soul, confronts Sintram, and later faints at Berga.
- Sintram
Revealed as a diabolical figure; marries Ulrika Dillner and is associated with supernatural omens.
- Gösta Berling
Passive in the confrontation; later found chatting calmly with Sintram at Berga.
- Ulrika Dillner
Marries Sintram, suffers homesickness and terror at Fors, and plays the polka to express her despair.
Key passages
“Which of them will you let me keep?" Anna Stjärnhök laughed wildly. "Do you think that we can stand here and exchange souls as they exchange horses at the market at Broby?”
Anna Stjärnhök laughs bitterly and asks if they can trade souls like horses at a market.
Anna rejects Sintram's proposal to swap Gösta for another man.
“She would have liked to weep, to rave, to roll on the ground and strew snow and sand on her head. Before, she had known the sweetness of renunciation, now she knew its bitterness. What was it to sacrifice her love compared to sacrificing her beloved's soul?”
Anna wanted to scream and throw herself on the ground; she had once found joy in giving up her love, but now she felt only the pain of having endangered Gösta's soul.
Anna's anguish after Sintram's departure.
“She plays it whenever she has anything to confide to the old piano. She plays it both when she feels like weeping and like smiling.”
Ulrika plays the same polka to express both joy and sorrow to her piano.
Ulrika Dillner's only piano piece becomes her sole outlet for emotion.