# Margareta Celsing explained — The Story of Gösta Berling

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

## What happens

The major's wife returns to Ekeby on Christmas Eve, ill but in good spirits, and finds the district transformed by kindness and cooperation. She forgives the pensioners and dies peacefully, leaving Ekeby to Gösta Berling on the condition that he send away his wife, Countess Elizabeth. Both Gösta and Elizabeth refuse the gift, preferring a life of humble service. The chapter ends with the sound of the sledgehammer as a tribute to Margareta Celsing's life of labor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Penitence

The major's wife finds peace and forgiveness upon her return, while Gösta Berling embraces a life of humble service as his penance.

### Community and Belonging

The district is transformed by mutual aid and goodwill, with everyone working together to relieve suffering and hasten the coming of God's Kingdom.

### Love and Sacrifice

Countess Elizabeth chooses to stay with Gösta in poverty rather than return to her homeland, and Gösta refuses wealth to remain with the poor.

## Character check-ins

### Margareta Celsing

Returns to Ekeby on Christmas Eve, ill and dying, but filled with forgiveness and peace. She offers Ekeby to Gösta Berling but ultimately passes away, her life celebrated by the sound of the sledgehammer.

### Gösta Berling

Kneels by the major's wife's bed, refuses her offer of Ekeby, and declares his intention to live humbly as a country fiddler, atoning for his sins by bringing pleasure to the poor.

### The Young Countess

Kneels beside the major's wife and declares she no longer longs for her homeland, having found a life she can live alongside Gösta in poverty and service.

### Marianne Sinclair

Mentioned as one of the rich women helping Gösta Berling to relieve the poor in the district.

### Anna Stjärnhök

Mentioned as one of the rich women helping Gösta Berling to relieve the poor in the district.

### Captain Lennart

Mentioned as a model of goodness whom the people seek to emulate in the transformed district.

## Key lines

> It has been God's storm, I know now that it has all been for the best!

The major's wife acknowledges that the trials she endured were part of a divine plan and ultimately led to good.

_Spoken by Margareta Celsing on the threshold of the sickroom, expressing her acceptance and forgiveness._

> I shall give the poor pleasure, that is my penance.

Gösta Berling declares that his atonement will come through bringing joy to the needy, not through wealth or power.

_Gösta's response to the major's wife when she offers him Ekeby._

> Thanks, it says, and sleep in peace! Your work shall live and continue. Your house shall always be a home for happy labor.

The sound of the sledgehammer is interpreted as a tribute to Margareta Celsing's legacy of hard work and generosity.

_Gösta's poetic interpretation of the hammer's rhythm as Margareta Celsing's obituary._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_g_sta_berling_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-margareta-celsing
- 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