# Gunnar Heggen — Jenny character guide > Gunnar Heggen in Jenny by Sigrid Undset. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gunnar, Heggen, Mr. Heggen, VIII Heggen, XI Gunnar **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i ## Snapshot A painter with a boxer's broken nose and a restless mind, Gunnar Heggen is Jenny's closest friend in Rome and the one who sees her most clearly. ## Who they are Heggen works steadily, reads Greek tragedy and Keats, and argues that Norway needs European culture rather than self-congratulatory provincialism. He loves Jenny in a way he never quite declares, and his loyalty makes him both her confidant and a silent rival to Helge. His steadiness and his refusal to lie about what he knows anchor the novel's moral center. ## Relationships ### [Helge Gram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters/helge_gram) _rivalry_ Gunnar and Helge are rivals for Jenny's affection, with mutual resentment and jealousy. ### [Helge Gram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters/helge_gram) _rivalry_ Gunnar and Helge are rivals for Jenny's affection, with mutual resentment and jealousy. ### [Helge Gram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters/helge_gram) _rivalry_ Gunnar and Helge are rivals for Jenny's affection, with mutual resentment and jealousy. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-i) Accompanies Jenny to the café; mentioned as part of the group Helge joins. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Attempts to manage Cesca's moods and engages in conversation with Helge, showing his role as a stabilizing presence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Gunnar visits Jenny, praises her artwork, and expresses anger toward Hans Hermann. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-v) Gunnar is mentioned as Jenny's close friend and a talented self-taught artist who has helped Francesca with her painting. Francesca hopes he and Jenny will marry. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Expresses strong opinions on social class and justice, argues with Cesca about Hermann. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Attends the birthday party and gives Jenny almond blossoms. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Mentioned as someone who scolded Jenny for not exhibiting her portrait of Kalfatrus. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Mentioned as a friend of Jenny, with whom she has a comfortable friendship. ### [The Slow Growth of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-i-x) Engages in a conversation with Cesca about Jenny's relationship, showing his own views on love and his reluctance to discuss Jenny's affairs with others. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-ii-ix) Returns from the countryside and Stockholm, having sold a painting. He expresses strong opinions on culture and women, and encourages Jenny to focus on her work. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Gunnar arrives at the station and joins Jenny and Cesca. Jenny senses a touch of sadness behind his cheerful demeanor. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-v) Provides Jenny with addresses for possible places to stay and later visits her at her new lodging near Warnemünde. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Sends letters to Jenny, first congratulating her on the birth and later offering sympathy after the child's death. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Writes to Jenny from Italy, advising her to come. His notes in a book of Italian poetry inspire her to leave. He meets her at the station in Rome. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Sober and disapproving, tries to protect Jenny from the crowd and her own drinking, expresses concern for her future. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-ix) Listens to Jenny's outpouring of grief, offers gentle comfort, and encourages her to return to painting. He reflects on his own beliefs about will and fate, and shows care for Jenny's well-being. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Declares his love for Jenny, offering to heal her, but respects her refusal. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-xi) Absent but central to Jenny's hopes; she considers him her conscience and judge. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/chapters/part-iii-xi) Grieves at Jenny's grave, reflecting on his unspoken love and the secret of her death. He keeps a bead from her jewelry and the sketches of the boy, and he is consumed by sorrow and regret. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters/gunnar_heggen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/jenny_se/characters