# Laura — Downstream character guide > Laura in Downstream by Sigfrid Siwertz. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Little Laura, Laura Flying Arrow, Mrs. Laura **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i-the-cry ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Herman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/herman) _romantic_ Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core. ### [Georg Hermansson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/georg_hermansson) _romantic_ Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension. ### [Hedvig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/hedvig) _friendship_ Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets. ### [Herman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/herman) _romantic_ Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core. ### [Herman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/herman) _romantic_ Herman and Laura share a deep, emotionally intense romantic bond, often central to the story's emotional core. ### [Georg Hermansson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/georg_hermansson) _romantic_ Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension. ### [Hedvig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/hedvig) _friendship_ Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets. ### [Hedvig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/hedvig) _friendship_ Hedvig and Laura are close friends or confidantes, sharing emotional support and secrets. ### [Georg Hermansson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/georg_hermansson) _romantic_ Georg Hermansson and Laura have a romantic or deeply affectionate relationship, possibly involving rivalry or tension. ## In the story ### [I: The Cry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-robber-s-stronghold) Giggles during the funeral procession, watches the fight with chattering teeth. ### [III: The Dance of the Crow Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-dance-of-the-crow-indians) Plays 'Flying Arrow,' dances around Oskar, and casts a triumphant glance at Peter. ### [Peter the Watchdog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-iv-peter-the-watchdog) Dines strategically with Stellan and later gets crayfish from Brundin. ### [V: Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-v-fear) Hedvig's younger sister, teasing and curious about Hedvig's reactions to Brundin. ### [VI: The Two Fair Heads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-two-fair-heads) Sits astride a cannon, teases Herman, and puts up her hair for the first time. ### [September Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-peter-s-tombstone) Laura visits Peter before his death, anxious about scandal, and later receives the yacht 'Laura' as a mocking bequest. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/laura - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters