# Christine Ludolph — Barriers Burned Away character guide > Christine Ludolph in Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Ludolph, Christine, Ludolph, Cruel Christine, poor Christine **First appearance:** 0003-i-love-unknown ## Snapshot A painter of flawless copies who cannot create, Christine rules her father's store like a palace and freezes inside it, wanting love she cannot name. ## Who they are Christine Ludolph moves through Chicago as the world's ideal of a queen — health, beauty, wealth, accomplishments — yet feels she is living in a palace of ice and slowly turning into ice herself. Her father is proud and ambitious for her but neither loves nor trusts her much, and her restlessness she mistakes for lofty artistic ambition. When she rearranges the store on artistic principles, she brings her taste and her coldness into daily contact with the man who will first see her as a soul rather than a statue. ## Relationships ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _romantic_ Central romantic pair with intense emotional and spiritual connection, evolving from tension to deep love. ### [Mr. Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_fleet) _professional_ Christine interacts with Dennis's father as a respected elder and employer figure. ### [Mr. Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_ludolph) _family_ Father-daughter relationship marked by mutual affection but also conflict over Christine's independence and faith. ### [Miss Winthrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/miss_winthrop) _friendship_ Close confidante and companion, providing emotional support and guidance to Christine. ### [Ernst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/ernst) _friendship_ Ernst is a loyal family servant and friend to Christine, often acting as a protective figure. ### [Mr. Bruder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_bruder) _professional_ Christine interacts with Mr. Bruder as a gallery employee and occasional advisor. ### [Bill Cronk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/bill_cronk) _social_ Acquaintances through Dennis, with Bill showing deference and occasional humor toward Christine. ### [Mr. Cornell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_cornell) _social_ Acquaintance from society circles, with minimal direct interaction. ### [Mr. Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_fleet) _professional_ Christine interacts with Dennis's father as a respected elder and employer figure. ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _romantic_ Central romantic pair with intense emotional and spiritual connection, evolving from tension to deep love. ### [Dennis Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/dennis_fleet) _romantic_ Central romantic pair with intense emotional and spiritual connection, evolving from tension to deep love. ### [Mr. Ludolph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/mr_ludolph) _family_ Father-daughter relationship marked by mutual affection but also conflict over Christine's independence and faith. ## In the story ### [Barriers Burned Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/barriers-burned-away) The talented and aristocratic daughter of Mr. Ludolph, who initially views Dennis with condescension due to his lower social status. ### [XI: Too Much Alike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xi-too-much-alike) Visits the store and is compared to the painting; initially vexed but secretly pleased by the resemblance. ### [Blue Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xii-blue-blood) Revealed as a skeptic of love and romance after a painful experience; she now embraces her father's worldly philosophy, valuing art and social ambition above all. She offers to help rearrange the store's displays, showing her pride and artistic taste. ### [XIII: Very Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xiii-very-cold) Returns from New York, feeling restless and dissatisfied despite her advantages. She persuades her father to let her rearrange the store, treating employees with cold sovereignty. ### [XIV: She Speaks to Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xiv-she-speaks-to-him) Begins planning a store rearrangement, studies the building, and sketches ideas. She speaks to Dennis only to ask him to move, showing her dismissive attitude toward him. ### [Promoted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xv-promoted) Initially dismisses Dennis as a mere sweeper, but later shows admiration for his honesty and skill. ### [Just in Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xvi-just-in-time) Discusses Dennis with her father, showing curiosity about his artistic knowledge and disdain for American 'uppish notions'. ### [Miss Ludolph Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xviii-miss-ludolph-makes-a-discovery) Sings and plays piano, sketches a painting, questions Dennis about his late night and his impression of her resemblance to a painted girl, shows interest in Ernst's pale face. ### [XIX: What Is the Matter with Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xix-what-is-the-matter-with-him) Appears with her father, dressed in a close-fitting walking-dress; directs the picture rearrangement with dictatorial authority; secretly studies Dennis as an artistic subject; shows pleasure at his compliments but remains cold and self-centred; arrives the next morning in a rubber suit despite the rain. ### [XX: Is He a Gentleman?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xx-is-he-a-gentleman) Defends Dennis as a refined, educated man and a gentleman by American principles, yet maintains European class distinctions. She treats him kindly but condescendingly, like a trusted servant. ### [Christine's Idea of Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxi-christine-s-idea-of-christians) Leads the preparation for the entertainment, engages in a theological debate, and expresses her disbelief in Christianity, advocating art as her religion. ### [Equal to an Emergency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxii-equal-to-an-emergency) Debates Dennis on faith, reluctantly commends his sincerity, and later shows gratitude for his musical performance. ### [The Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxiii-the-revelation) Performs brilliantly but feels she cannot touch hearts; she is carried off to dance by Mr. Mellen, unaware of Dennis's turmoil. ### [Night Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxiv-night-thoughts) Leaves the Browns' party early, disgusted with the coarse revelry and with herself for failing to achieve true artistic depth. ### [XXV: Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxv-darkness) Falls ill with fever and fears smallpox; her unbelief leaves her without comfort in sickness. ### [Miss Ludolph Commits a Theft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxvi-miss-ludolph-commits-a-theft) Recovering from illness, expresses existential despair and resolves to enjoy life at any cost. ### [A Miserable Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxvii-a-miserable-triumph) Christine has recovered from illness and is intensely focused on her art. She painted the copy that perfectly matches the original and feels triumphant when no one can tell them apart. ### [Life Without Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxviii-life-without-love) Devastated by Dennis's critique, she feels she can never be a true artist and confesses her despair and lack of faith to Susie. ### [XXIX: Dennis's Love Put to Practical Use](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxix-dennis-s-love-put-to-practical-use) Initially angry and indifferent, she is moved by Dennis's encouragement and begins to see his love as a tool to advance her art. ### [The Two Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxx-the-two-heights) She deliberately encourages Dennis's attention to study his face for her painting, keeping him hot and cold by turns. She orchestrates his visits to her home and his entry into society, and proposes a plan to buy and refurbish a house as an investment. ### [Beguiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxi-beguiled) Christine deliberately beguiles Dennis, using him as an artistic study while struggling with her own growing fascination and conscience. ### [Bitter Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxii-bitter-disappointment) Uses Dennis as a model for her painting, struggling with her own awakening feelings while pursuing artistic ambition. ### [The Two Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-two-pictures) Struggles with guilt and pride after Dennis leaves; hardens her heart; later discovers Dennis's paintings and is moved to tears and regret. ### [Regret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxiv-regret) Struggles with guilt and grief over Dennis's condition; attempts to escape through travel and social engagements but remains haunted. ### [XXXV: Remorse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxv-remorse) Overwhelmed by remorse and guilt, she becomes cold and cynical, isolating herself from her father and society. She is haunted by memories of Dennis and struggles to find peace. ### [An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-apparition) Believing Dennis dead, she returns to the store and is startled by his apparition; she is overcome with guilt and fear. ### [If He Knew!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxvii-if-he-knew) Experiences a deep emotional awakening, realizing she loves Dennis, but is conflicted by her father's ambitions and her own pride. ### [The Gates Open](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-gates-open) Sprains her ankle, unable to visit Mrs. Fleet; unaware of Janette's treachery; agrees to travel west with Mrs. Von Brakhiem. ### [Susie Winthrop Appears Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xxxix-susie-winthrop-appears-again) Returns to Chicago, secretly seeks Dennis, learns of his dismissal from her father, and begins painting a picture to send anonymously to the exhibition. ### [Suggestive Pictures and a Prize](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xl-suggestive-pictures-and-a-prize) Deeply affected by Dennis's painting; her own painting expresses longing and despair; indifferent to the prize. ### [XLI: Fire! Fire!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xli-fire-fire) Spends the day in bitter revery, resolves never to help Dennis, and later timidly congratulates him only to be rebuffed. ### [Christine, Awake! For Your Life!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xliii-christine-awake-for-your-life) Found asleep in her studio as the fire approaches; awakens to Dennis's call, flees with him, and faints from terror when escape is blocked. ### [On the Beach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xliv-on-the-beach) Survives the fire but is deeply shaken; expresses her disbelief in God and struggles with theodicy, yet begins to be moved by Dennis's faith and actions. ### [XLV: “Prayer Is Mighty”—Christine a Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlv-prayer-is-mighty-christine-a-christian) Initially despairing and unbelieving, she kneels in prayer at Dennis's request, then experiences a sudden conversion after praying for a sick woman. ### [Christine's Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlvi-christine-s-grave) Tends to a poor German woman, reveals she has lost her German scepticism and accepted Christian truth, rests in a vacant grave, expresses desire to never be her old self again. ### [XLVII: Susie Winthrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlvii-susie-winthrop) Grieves her father's death, expresses newfound faith, and reconciles with Dennis over past misunderstandings. ### [Doctor Arten Struck by Lightning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlviii-doctor-arten-struck-by-lightning) Tends to Mrs. Leonard, expresses spiritual doubts, regrets hurting Dennis's feelings, renounces her title as Baroness, and confesses her love for Dennis. ### [Bill Cronk's Toast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlix-bill-cronk-s-toast) Waits anxiously for Dennis, cares for the Bruder children, and shows tenderness and humor in her interactions with Dennis. ### [Every Barrier Burned Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/l-every-barrier-burned-away) Grieves for her father, renounces her former aristocratic ambitions, and declares her love for Dennis. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters/christine_ludolph - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/characters