# Ebba Dohna's Story explained — The Story of Gösta Berling

> Chapter companion for The Story of Gösta Berling by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

Anna Stjärnhök reveals to Countess Elizabeth the tragic story of Ebba Dohna, who died after discovering that Gösta Berling, the man she loved, was a dismissed priest and unworthy of her. The revelation leads Countess Elizabeth to confront Gösta, accusing him of deceiving her and driving him away. Anna, who had urged Elizabeth to act, then turns on her, vowing to follow and protect Gösta. The chapter also explores Anna's inner turmoil and her struggle to interpret signs from heaven.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Remorse

Anna Stjärnhök is consumed by guilt after revealing Ebba's story and causing Gösta's rejection, while Gösta himself carries the burden of Ebba's death.

### Love and Sacrifice

Ebba Dohna sacrifices her life rather than marry Gösta, whom she cannot love as she loves God; Anna sacrifices her friendship with Elizabeth to protect Gösta.

### Social Class and Power

Gösta's status as a dismissed priest and homeless adventurer makes him unworthy in the eyes of Countess Elizabeth and Ebba's mother, despite his personal qualities.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Stjärnhök

Reveals Ebba Dohna's story to Countess Elizabeth, then regrets her cruelty to Gösta and vows to protect him.

### The Young Countess

Confronts Gösta Berling after learning of his past, accusing him of deception and driving him away.

### Gösta Berling

Defends himself against the countess's accusations, claiming he believed she knew his history, and leaves after being scorned.

### Ebba Dohna

Her tragic story is recounted: she died after choosing death over marrying Gösta, whom she deemed unworthy of her devotion to God.

### Countess Märta Dohna

Mentioned as Ebba's mother, who pressured Ebba to marry Gösta despite his past.

## Key lines

> I cannot understand how anyone with your antecedents can show himself in the presence of an honorable woman.

Countess Elizabeth tells Gösta that his past makes him unfit to be around respectable women.

_This is the climax of the confrontation, where Elizabeth openly condemns Gösta based on his history._

> You have now done what I wished, but it is also the end of our friendship.

Anna Stjärnhök tells Elizabeth that while she wanted Gösta confronted, she cannot forgive Elizabeth for being cruel to him.

_Anna's regret and loyalty to Gösta override her earlier desire for Elizabeth to act._

> If it really was not God who did it, she used to whisper to herself. If it was not God, who sent the wolves?

Anna wonders if the wolves that killed her father were not sent by God, seeking a sign to guide her actions.

_Anna's internal struggle and search for divine direction drive her decision to expose Gösta's past._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-i-xii-ebba-dohna-s-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters