Downstream · Character

Laura

A divorced mother who turned self-presentation into a private religion, Laura hosts men's parties at Selamb while her son Georg grows up in the corridors outside.

major

Also known as Little Laura, Laura Flying Arrow, Mrs. Laura

First appearance: I: The Cry

As a major figure in Downstream, Laura is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Little Laura hides to avoid showing her tongue and is put to bed with the other young children.

In the storyI: The CryOpen this moment free

See Laura in I: The Cry Book page

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Laura rebuilt her social position after the divorce by posing as a deserted mother, then discovered that the ladies bored her and that she preferred men, cards, and financiers to mothers' circles. Her dressing table is an altar and her mirror a god; her egoism flourishes under that spell while Georg is boarded out, hidden, and half-forgotten. She is the novel's clearest study of charm as a survival strategy, and her household is where the Selamb men's money troubles and romantic entanglements quietly converge.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Laura sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Laura in I: The Cry

Character Web

34 connections

A slice of how Laura sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Selamb family core
Extended social and noble network
Minor workers and rivals

+29 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story’s dramatic climax because Stellan, after searching for Percy in a house that feels alien and…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Herman
romantic · positive
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the… How this plays out →
Georg Hermansson
romantic · positive
Hedvig
friendship · positive
Herman
romantic · positive
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the… How this plays out →
Herman
romantic · positive
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the… How this plays out →
Georg Hermansson
romantic · positive
Hedvig
friendship · positive
Hedvig
friendship · positive
Georg Hermansson
romantic · positive

Herman
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core.
Georg Hermansson
Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension.
Hedvig
Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets.
Herman
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core.
Herman
Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core.
Georg Hermansson
Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension.
Hedvig
Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets.
Hedvig
Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets.
Georg Hermansson
Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Laura in I: The Cry

In the story

Laura appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: The Cry
Little Laura hides to avoid showing her tongue and is put to bed with the other young children.
II: The Robber’s Stronghold
Giggles during the funeral procession, watches the fight with chattering teeth.
III: The Dance of the Crow Indians
Plays 'Flying Arrow,' dances around Oskar, and casts a triumphant glance at Peter.
Peter the Watchdog
Dines strategically with Stellan and later gets crayfish from Brundin.
V: Fear
Hedvig's younger sister, teasing and curious about Hedvig's reactions to Brundin.
VI: The Two Fair Heads
Sits astride a cannon, teases Herman, and puts up her hair for the first time.
September Spring
Laura starves herself, drinks vinegar, and feigns illness to appear pale and interesting. She manipulates her guardian to secure a place at a Swiss boarding school.
X: Laura's Marriage
Gives birth to Georg, rejects nursing, recovers quickly, becomes coquettish, collects Herman's love letters, visits Peter to plan divorce, overhears brothers' cynical talk, behaves defiantly at wedding.
XI: The Spanish Saint
Present at Selambshof during Percy's visit, but her chatter is silenced by Hedvig's severe demeanor.
XIII: Tord's Exile
Laura is outraged by Tord's marriage and accuses him of selfishness, calling him an egoist with no regard for others.
I: Laura Entertains
Hosts the gambling party, acts as banker, and later counts her winnings. She is furious about being excluded from the Kolsnäs deal but is mollified with a bracelet.
III: The Angel of Death
Laura is mentioned as the sister Hedvig used to spy on with Herman, and as the one who recommended lawyer Levy to Hedvig.
VI: The Great Dinner
Arrives at the dinner with her new husband Count von Borgk and her son Georg, displaying a playful and unbothered demeanor.
VIII: Tord Sails Out to Sea
Accompanies Stellan to Järnö, observes Tord with detached amusement, and later listens to Dagmar's story.
IX: Peter's Tombstone
Laura visits Peter before his death, anxious about scandal, and later receives the yacht 'Laura' as a mocking bequest.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Laura unlock in the free preview.

See Laura in I: The Cry