# Gerda — Dangerous Ages character guide > Gerda in Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gerda Bendish, Neville Gerda, VII Gerda, III Though Gerda, Damn Gerda, Gerda's **First appearance:** 0003-i-neville-s-birthday ## Snapshot A pixyish, straight-thinking young poet and typist, the woman of the future in Barry's eyes, who sends her verses to Nan and spells 'comparatively' with wholehearted wrongness. ## Who they are Gerda is twenty, yellow-haired, and earnest about politics and population in a way that both touches and needles her elders. She and Kay submit their literary efforts to Nan for criticism, believing in her powers and her influence, and she never shows the customary abashed hesitation in asking whether her poems have been read. Her slow, clear, crystal mind and her secret mystic thoughts make her the future Barry works for—and the rival Nan cannot quite forgive. ## Relationships ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _romantic_ Barry is deeply in love with Gerda and pursues her romantically, though she is conflicted about her feelings. ### [Nan Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/nan_hilary) _family_ Gerda and Nan are sisters, with Gerda often feeling overshadowed by Nan's confidence and independence. ### [Rosalind Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rosalind_hilary) _family_ Gerda and Rosalind are sisters, with Rosalind often acting as a mentor and source of tension for Gerda. ### [Rodney Bendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rodney_bendish) _romantic_ Gerda is romantically involved with Rodney, but their relationship is strained by her indecision and his expectations. ### [Grandmama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/grandmama) _family_ Gerda shares a warm, respectful relationship with her grandmother, who offers guidance and comfort. ### [Jim Kenrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/jim_kenrick) _social_ Gerda and Jim are casual acquaintances, interacting mainly through family and social circles. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Gerda has a loving but less frequent relationship with her grandmother, who lives apart from the family. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/father) _family_ Father is Gerda's parent, with a protective but sometimes overbearing attitude toward her. ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _romantic_ Barry is deeply in love with Gerda and pursues her romantically, though she is conflicted about her feelings. ### [Nan Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/nan_hilary) _family_ Gerda and Nan are sisters, with Gerda often feeling overshadowed by Nan's confidence and independence. ### [Rosalind Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rosalind_hilary) _family_ Gerda and Rosalind are sisters, with Rosalind often acting as a mentor and source of tension for Gerda. ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _romantic_ Barry is deeply in love with Gerda and pursues her romantically, though she is conflicted about her feelings. ## In the story ### [Dangerous Ages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/dangerous-ages) Observes Mrs. Hilary reading Freud and considers her own future, including the possibility of marrying Barry. ### [I: Neville's Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i-neville-s-birthday) Neville's daughter, gives a carved oak box, seeks Nan's opinion on her poems, shows youthful persistence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Neville's sister; sleeping in the house, still on the threshold of life, believing she can have a hundred careers. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Neville's daughter, age 20 or 21; described as fragile, pure, and candid about modern ideas like Freud. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Neville's daughter, discusses Penelope Jessop's baby and advocates for polygamy due to the surplus of women after the Great War. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Plays tennis with Kay, seeks Nan's critique of her poems, displays youthful persistence. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Not directly present in this chapter. ### [III: Family Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii-family-life) Lies in the garden drawing pictures for her poems, sometimes doing nothing at all; Neville wonders what will become of her, noting her cleverness with gaps. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Works on drawing for her poems in the garden; described as clever but with gaps in knowledge, having declined university. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Lies withdrawn on the lawn, draws and writes poetry; Barry throws a daisy chain at her, calling her a 'daisy bud.' ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as a secularist, with Neville reflecting on her potential religious or ideological leanings, which he sees as incompatible with traditional categories. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii) Her book 'The Breath of Life' is left on the table and becomes the focus of Mrs. Hilary's attention. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii) Finds Mrs. Hilary asleep with her Freud book; reflects on generational differences in attitudes toward sex and truth; decides not to argue with her grandmother. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as coming down to Cornwall with Kay to bicycle along the coast. ### [V: Seaweed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v-seaweed) Gerda plays tennis with a nonchalant attitude; Barry finds her an 'absurd, lovable, teasable child.' ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Gerda plays tennis with a nonchalant attitude, occasionally making clever shots that impress Barry. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Recipient of a green silk frock bought by Mrs. Hilary. ### [VI: Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi-jim) Gerda is mentioned as helping Barry Briscoe with W.E.A. meetings in Guildford, and Jim remarks on her prettiness. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as arriving with Barry, noted by Jim as prettier each time he sees her. ### [VII: Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii-gerda) Living at the Red House, working as Barry's secretary, deeply in love with Barry, and reflecting on love and sharing. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Silently joins Barry for the walk. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Walks with Barry in the storm, feels part of the wild weather, decides to work in his office. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Agrees to work as Barry's secretary, appearing serene and keeping her plans private. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Gerda's hero-worship of Barry grows; she feels her heart turn over at his smile and secretly touches the paper he has signed. She likes his sternness, recalling similar pleasure from being reprimanded at school. She is deeply interested in the W.E.A. work, believing in democracy and practical social change. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Described as a clever, strange, charming child; slow but thorough worker with visionary qualities; works as Barry's secretary and is sensitive to his moods. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Now living at the Red House during the week, returning home only on weekends, and participating in the revolutionary community. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii) Gerda enjoys intellectual discussions with Barry, holds strong opinions on art, and wrestles with her feelings for him while contemplating the nature of love and sharing. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii) Eagerly asks Barry to come to Cornwall; feels illuminated by the prospect and treasures the remaining week alone with him. ### [VIII: Nan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii-nan) Travels with Barry and Kay; appears pale and underweight; shares a bed with Nan, who finds her presence disruptive. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as part of the group that will accompany Barry to Cornwall. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Pale and underweight from overwork, she is struck silent by beauty and walks barefoot on the causeway, drawing Barry's tender gaze. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Quiet and dreamy at the meal; sleeps soundly and still beside Nan; Barry fusses over her and she is the object of his current attention. ### [The Pace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ix-the-pace) Attempts to match Nan's daring in cycling and diving, ultimately crashes her bicycle off a cliff path and is injured. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Shows caution in the sea and a sense of honor; shares a bed with Nan, who finds the intimacy uncomfortable. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Struggles to match Nan's diving, feeling cold and shaky, but determined not to be outdone. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Initially cautious, she suddenly releases her brakes to chase Nan, revealing a hidden boldness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Shows stoic bravery despite fear of bulls and dangers; maintains composure to impress Barry. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) The object of Barry's new affection, she is drawn into a rivalry of daring with Nan, rising to meet the challenges. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Nearly drowns; is rescued by Nan and Barry; thanks Nan afterward. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii) Follows Nan's lead in a desperate attempt to prove her courage to Barry, resulting in her fatal fall off the cliff. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii) Gerda is the accident victim, unconscious at first, then conscious and in pain, but stoic; she smiles at Barry and reassures him. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ix) Injured from the fall, confesses her love for Barry to Nan, and reveals her naive hope that they might share him. ### [X: Principles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/x-principles) Convalescing at Windover, she argues against marriage on principle, insisting on free unions. She is artistically inclined, reads political and poetic works, and finds modern novels perplexing. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Convalescing at Windover with injuries, writing verse and letters to Barry, reading political and literary works, and expressing disdain for modern novels. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Convalescing in the conservatory, Gerda argues passionately against marriage on principle, valuing emotional freedom over legal ties. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Defends her decision to live with Barry without marriage, arguing it is consistent with her progressive ideals. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Obstinate in her determination about marriage, she grows thinner and heals more slowly under the strain of the conflict. ### [XI: That Which Remains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xi-that-which-remains) Recovering from a nervous breakdown, passive and depressed; Neville sees her as obstinate about marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Neville's daughter, whose own nervous breakdown and refusal to tie Barry to her serve as a mirror for Neville's fears about aging and dependency. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Convalescent, joins Neville and Rodney in the London flat. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Neville's daughter; mentioned as working for Barry and possibly unintentionally taking him from Nan; described as obstinate about marriage. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Barry is in love with her; Neville thinks she and Barry are both earnest citizens keen on social progress. ### [XIII: The Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xiii-the-daughter) Discussed by Mrs. Hilary and Nan; Gerda is refusing marriage to Barry despite being in love, but Nan predicts she will eventually give in. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Discussed as refusing to marry Barry despite wanting him; Nan predicts she will eventually give in. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Barry's beloved; Nan dreads seeing them together, radiant and in love. ### [XIV: Youth to Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xiv-youth-to-youth) Reconsiders and decides to marry Barry after Kay's advice, feeling happy and sensuously content. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Kay's advice causes her to reconsider her stance on marriage. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Agrees to marry Barry after reconsideration, but insists on keeping her name and not wearing a wedding ring. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Feels happy with poetry, drawing, and Barry, content in the moment. ### [XV: The Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xv-the-dream) Gerda marries Barry in January in a registry office. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Marries Barry in a quiet ceremony; no wedding party. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/gerda - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters