# Gertie — My Brilliant Career character guide > Gertie in My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Gertie, Poor little Gertie, Marry Gertie, Pretty little Gertie, Happy butterfly - natured Gertie **First appearance:** 0005-ii-an-introduction-to-possum-gully ## Snapshot Sybylla's pretty, happy, uncomplicated younger sister, the sunny foil to her restless and dissatisfied narrator-sibling. ## Who they are Gertie is the sister Sybylla writes long, breathless letters to from Caddagat, a pretty butterfly-natured girl content with the small pleasures of Possum Gully. Where Sybylla chafes and analyzes, Gertie simply enjoys, and the contrast quietly indicts Sybylla's own inability to be satisfied with what she has. She matters as the warm, ordinary home Sybylla both loves and feels exiled from—the life she cannot want and cannot quite leave. ## Relationships ### [Harold Beecham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/harold_beecham) _family_ A sibling relationship, with Gertie likely being Harold's sister, sharing a close family bond. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A familial relationship, likely aunt-niece or close family friend, with Mother acting as a maternal figure. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A familial relationship, likely aunt-niece or close family friend, with Mother acting as a maternal figure. ### [Harold Beecham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/harold_beecham) _family_ A sibling relationship, with Gertie likely being Harold's sister, sharing a close family bond. ### [Harold Beecham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/harold_beecham) _family_ A sibling relationship, with Gertie likely being Harold's sister, sharing a close family bond. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/mother) _family_ A familial relationship, likely aunt-niece or close family friend, with Mother acting as a maternal figure. ## In the story ### [IV: A Career Which Soon Careered to an End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/iv-a-career-which-soon-careered-to-an-end) Sybylla's twin sister; milks thirteen cows; mentioned as part of the dairy labor force. ### [VI: Revolt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/vi-revolt) Sybylla's younger sister, who offers comfort and affection, contrasting with Sybylla's turmoil. ### [VII: Was E’er a Rose Without Its Thorn?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/vii-was-e-er-a-rose-without-its-thorn) Sybylla's younger sister who sets the table to save Sybylla from a scolding and shows care for her. ### [VIII: Possum Gully Left Behind. Hurrah! Hurrah!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/viii-possum-gully-left-behind-hurrah-hurrah) Mentioned as the only one who felt sorrow at Sybylla's departure, but Sybylla believes she will soon be forgotten. ### [IX: Aunt Helen's Recipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/ix-aunt-helen-s-recipe) Gertie is briefly mentioned as sharing the poor washing facilities at Possum Gully with Sybylla and the boys. ### [XIV: Principally Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xiv-principally-letters) Recipient of Sybylla's lively letter describing life at Caddagat. ### [Back at Possum Gully](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxiii-back-at-possum-gully) Confides in Sybylla about her shame over their father's drinking and the family's loss of respectability. ### [XXXIV: But Absent Friends Are Soon Forgot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxiv-but-absent-friends-are-soon-forgot) Writes letters showing she is becoming close to Harold, who calls her 'Harry' and gives her gifts. ### [XXXV: The 3rd of December 1898](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxv-the-3rd-of-december-1898) Mentioned by mother as Harold's wife; Sybylla reacts bitterly to the reminder. ### [XXXVI: Once Upon a Time, When the Days Were Long and Hot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxvi-once-upon-a-time-when-the-days-were-long-and-hot) Mentioned as a possible love interest for Harold, but he dismisses her as a child. ### [XXXVII: He That Despiseth Little Things, Shall Fall Little by Little](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxvii-he-that-despiseth-little-things-shall-fall-little-by-little) Writes a cheerful letter to Sybylla, mentioning Harold's visit and her new friendship with Mr. Creyton. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as someone too delicate to wait on their father in public houses. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/ii) Gertie writes to Sybylla, mentioning Harold's visit and her enjoyment of Mr. Creyton's company. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters/gertie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/characters