# Gert Gram — Jenny character guide

> Gert Gram in Jenny by Sigrid Undset.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gert, IV Gert, Gert GramтАЩs

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i

## Snapshot

Helge's father Gert Gram, a man who has renounced much, meets Jenny and sees in her the life his son might have had.

## Who they are

Gert comes to Rome and is struck by Jenny's talent, directness, and joy in her work, qualities he recognizes as ones he himself let slip away. When Helge and Jenny's engagement falters, Gert tries to mediate with a candor that is both generous and intrusive. His sympathy for Jenny complicates the family triangle and forces her to articulate what she actually feels.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Mentioned as having visited Jenny and taken an interest in her painting, which causes tension with Helge.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-v)

Appears as a polite but distant figure, caught in the middle of his wife's suspicions. He helps Jenny with a cover story about their prior meeting.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Confesses his unhappy marriage and lost artistic dreams to Jenny, revealing his past and his wife's jealousy.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-vii)

Mentioned by Helge as having suggested that he and Jenny should go away. Helge suspects that Jenny's decision to leave might be influenced by his father's advice.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Visits Jenny to discuss Helge's departure, shares his philosophy on true love and his own past sacrifice.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-x)

Visits Jenny's studio, praises her work, and discusses her recent disappointment. He reveals his own unhappy marriage and confesses his deep, platonic love for her, speaking of the happiness found in loving someone, even if it is not returned.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-i)

Jenny's lover, who is deeply in love with her and unaware of her true feelings. He has left his wife and lives alone in the office building.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Gert's letter to Jenny is mentioned; Jenny finds his expressions of love unconvincing and feels they do not understand each other.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Offers to marry Jenny despite the age difference, but is rejected; he is deeply affected by her news.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-v)

Sees Jenny off at the station and later visits her in Copenhagen. She writes to him to break off contact until after the birth.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-vi)

Writes a letter to Jenny expressing his sorrow, offering marriage, and reflecting on their relationship.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-vii)

Jenny writes him a long, sad, and tender letter bidding him farewell forever.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters/gert_gram
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters