# Lena Lingard — My Ántonia character guide > Lena Lingard in My Ántonia by Willa Cather. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lena, Book III Lena Lingard, Lingard, Miss Lingard **First appearance:** 0025-i ## Who they are A hired girl with a yielding lip and an easy laugh, who leaves farm drudgery for Lincoln and builds a life on charm, needlework, and self-possession. ## Relationships ### [Jim Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jim_burden) _romantic_ Jim is romantically drawn to Lena's beauty and independence, though their relationship remains flirtatious and unresolved. ### [James Quayle Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/james_quayle_burden) _social_ James Quayle Burden, as a child, interacts with Lena as a friendly older acquaintance in the community. ### [Tiny Soderball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/tiny_soderball) _friendship_ Lena and Tiny are close friends and fellow immigrants who support each other's ambitions in Black Hawk. ### [Anton Jelinek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/anton_jelinek) _romantic_ Anton Jelinek is a suitor of Lena, showing romantic interest in her, though she does not reciprocate seriously. ### [Ántonia Shimerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/antonia_shimerda) _friendship_ Ántonia and Lena are close friends from their youth, though their life paths diverge as Ántonia marries and Lena pursues a career. ### [Jake Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jake_marpole) _social_ Jake Marpole knows Lena as a fellow community member in Black Hawk, with no deep personal connection. ### [James Quayle Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/james_quayle_burden) _social_ James Quayle Burden, as a child, interacts with Lena as a friendly older acquaintance in the community. ### [Jim Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jim_burden) _romantic_ Jim is romantically drawn to Lena's beauty and independence, though their relationship remains flirtatious and unresolved. ### [Jim Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/jim_burden) _romantic_ Jim is romantically drawn to Lena's beauty and independence, though their relationship remains flirtatious and unresolved. ### [Anton Jelinek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/anton_jelinek) _romantic_ Anton Jelinek is a suitor of Lena, showing romantic interest in her, though she does not reciprocate seriously. ### [Tiny Soderball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/tiny_soderball) _friendship_ Lena and Tiny are close friends and fellow immigrants who support each other's ambitions in Black Hawk. ### [Ántonia Shimerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/antonia_shimerda) _friendship_ Ántonia and Lena are close friends from their youth, though their life paths diverge as Ántonia marries and Lena pursues a career. ## In the story ### [Book II: The Hired Girls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/book-ii-the-hired-girls) Comes to Black Hawk and becomes a hired girl, drawing attention. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iv) Lena visits Ántonia in Black Hawk, discussing her new job in dressmaking and her desire to escape farm life. Her past on the prairie and her reputation for attracting men like Ole Benson are recounted. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/v) Works for Mrs. Thomas, spends time with Tiny Soderball at the hotel, and shows affection for her brother Chris. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/vii) Present at the dance, identified by Johnnie Gardener as one of the girls. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/viii) Another 'hired girl' who dances at the pavilion with the country girls. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/ix) A country girl who attracts the attention of town men, including Sylvester Lovett; described as having a 'slow, undulating walk.' ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as one of the girls Ántonia begins going about with, and later encourages Ántonia to get a place closer to her. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xii) A friend who influences Ántonia's fashion and dances languidly; Jim mentions kissing her. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xiii) Lena teases Jim about his solemn demeanor during his speech and congratulates him afterward. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/xiv) Joins the picnic, talks about her family and her desire to go into business. ### [Book III: Lena Lingard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/book-iii-lena-lingard) Now a successful dressmaker in Lincoln, she enjoys Jim's company but remains independent. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/ii) Now a dressmaker in Lincoln; visits Jim, shares news of Ántonia, and discusses her successful business. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iii) Lena accompanies Jim to the theater, pays for her own seat, and is emotionally engaged with the performance. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/iv) Lena is a successful dressmaker in Lincoln, independent and averse to marriage. She shares memories of her harsh rural childhood and her desire for freedom. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/i) Now a successful dressmaker in Lincoln, respected in Black Hawk, later moves to San Francisco. ### [The Shimerdas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/chapters/i) Lena encourages Jim to visit Ántonia and is mentioned in photographs, still living in San Francisco with a successful dressmaking business. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters/lena_lingard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_antonia_se/characters