# Alima — Herland character guide

> Alima in Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0004-v-a-unique-history

## Snapshot

A spirited Herland woman with a notebook and a firm lip, who marries Terry and refuses to soften for him.

## Who they are

Alima interrogates the men about marriage and motherhood with a sharp, unembarrassed curiosity, triumphing when their evasions expose contradictions in their own society. She and Terry strike sparks from the start—madly drawn, constantly at war—and her refusal to submit is exactly what he cannot forgive. Their quarrel becomes the flashpoint that tests whether Herland's order can absorb a man who will not be taught.

## Relationships

### [Terry O. Nicholson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/terry_o_nicholson)

_romantic_

Alima is Terry's chosen partner, but their relationship is fraught with conflict due to Terry's domineering and possessive behavior.

### [Jeff Margrave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/jeff_margrave)

_friendship_

Alima and Jeff share a cordial friendship, with Jeff's gentle demeanor contrasting sharply with Terry's aggression.

### [Ellador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/ellador)

_friendship_

Alima and Ellador are close friends and fellow Herland women, though Alima's rebellious nature sometimes strains their bond.

### [Celis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/celis)

_friendship_

Alima and Celis are childhood friends, but their paths diverge as Alima becomes more rebellious and Celis embraces Herland's norms.

### [Terry O. Nicholson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/terry_o_nicholson)

_romantic_

Alima is Terry's chosen partner, but their relationship is fraught with conflict due to Terry's domineering and possessive behavior.

### [Celis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/celis)

_friendship_

Alima and Celis are childhood friends, but their paths diverge as Alima becomes more rebellious and Celis embraces Herland's norms.

### [Terry O. Nicholson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/terry_o_nicholson)

_romantic_

Alima is Terry's chosen partner, but their relationship is fraught with conflict due to Terry's domineering and possessive behavior.

## In the story

### [II: Rash Advances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/ii-rash-advances)

One of the young women glimpsed in the trees; described as a 'peacherino' by Terry, she flees upward with the others.

### [A Peculiar Imprisonment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/iii-a-peculiar-imprisonment)

Mentioned by Terry as the girl he nearly caught, fueling his frustration.

### [Our Venture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/iv-our-venture)

Alima is mentioned as one of the women who recaptured the men, but she does not speak in this chapter.

### [A Unique History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/v-a-unique-history)

Mentioned as one of the 'girls' the men are getting acquainted with during their months of study.

### [The Girls of Herland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/viii-the-girls-of-herland)

Alima is the object of Terry's affections. She is keen, swift, and unimpressed by his flattery and advances. She repels his dashing attack and remains cold toward him for weeks.

### [IX: Our Relations and Theirs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/ix-our-relations-and-theirs)

Intermittently 'on' and 'off' with Terry; questions the role of women in the men's society; takes notes during discussions.

### [X: Their Religions and Our Marriages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/x-their-religions-and-our-marriages)

Questions the concept of a wife belonging to a man and refuses to change her name.

### [Our Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/xi-our-difficulties)

Alima resists Terry's demands, asserting her independence; she becomes bitter after his assault, seeking protection from Moadine and a female assistant.

### [Expelled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/chapters/xii-expelled)

Terry's wife who, along with other Herland women, physically overpowers him when he tries to assert dominance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters/alima
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/herland_se/characters