The Story of Gösta Berling · Chapter
III: Penitence explained
The young Countess Elizabeth Dohna is accused by her mother-in-law, Countess Märta Dohna, of infidelity after being seen returning home with Gösta Berling.
What happens
The young Countess Elizabeth Dohna is accused by her mother-in-law, Countess Märta Dohna, of infidelity after being seen returning home with Gösta Berling. Despite her confession that she acted out of guilt for having driven Gösta to despair, and her later admission that she loves him, her husband Henrik Dohna places her under Märta's authority. Elizabeth endures a month of humiliation and penance, forced to listen to stories of Gösta, while her strength and spirit wane.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Remorse
Elizabeth is consumed by guilt for loving Gösta Berling, leading her to confess and embrace suffering as a form of penance, believing pain is the only path to purity.
Love and Sacrifice
Elizabeth's love for Gösta drives her to sacrifice her reputation and endure humiliation, while her husband's love is quenched by suspicion and pride.
Social Class and Power
Countess Märta wields her authority over Elizabeth through social rank and manipulation, highlighting the power dynamics within noble households.
Characters to notice
- The Young Countess
Elizabeth Dohna is the central figure of the chapter, undergoing severe penitence after confessing her love for Gösta Berling and being placed under her mother-in-law's harsh rule.
- Countess Märta Dohna
Märta manipulates her son Henrik into believing Elizabeth is unfaithful, then takes control of Elizabeth's punishment, subjecting her to psychological torment.
- Henrik Dohna
Henrik, easily swayed by his mother, condemns Elizabeth to obedience under Märta and withdraws into his studies, showing indifference to his wife's suffering.
- Gösta Berling
Though absent, Gösta is the object of Elizabeth's love and the cause of her guilt; his presumed death triggers her desperate confession.
- Anna Stjärnhök
Mentioned as the one who told Elizabeth the story that led to her involvement with Gösta, though she does not appear directly in the chapter.
Key passages
“The penitent must wear a coarse cloak and live on water and dry bread, even if he were a king. He must walk and not ride. He must beg. He must sleep among thistles.”
A penitent, regardless of status, must endure harsh conditions like coarse clothing, fasting, walking, begging, and sleeping on thistles.
This opening metaphor establishes the theme of penitence that defines Elizabeth's ordeal.
“Condemn me, turn me out! I have loved him. Be in no doubt but that I have loved him!”
Elizabeth begs for punishment, openly confessing her love for Gösta Berling.
This moment marks her full confession and surrender to the consequences of her feelings.
“She is deceiving you, Henrik. She is deceiving you, the hypocritical creature, who hangs knitted curtains in all the windows only to cause me discomfort.”
Countess Märta accuses Elizabeth of infidelity and deceit, even criticizing her domestic choices as acts of rebellion.
Märta's manipulation is central to the conflict, painting Elizabeth as a schemer.