Niels Lyhne · Character

Gerda

Niels's young cousin, all white and pink and blonde, whose trusting love briefly makes life seem simple enough to live.

supporting

Also known as little Gerda

First appearance: iii

As a supporting figure in Niels Lyhne, Gerda is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Seventeen-year-old daughter of Councillor Skinnerup, admires Niels, becomes his wife, embraces his atheistic beliefs, dies after illness.

In the storyXIIIOpen this moment free

See Gerda in XIII Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Gerda is the twelve-year-old who sings teasing songs in the garden and grows into a tender, appealing young woman with a low, dreamy forehead and eyes as clear as a shallow lake. Niels falls in love with her openness and marries her, guarding her childlike faith as if it were a ewe lamb in a parable. She represents the one happiness Niels believes he can hold without irony — which is precisely why her presence in the early middle of the book carries such weight.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Gerda sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Gerda in iii

Character Web

1 connection

A slice of how Gerda sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic

Character groups

Broader community and background
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the dramatic climax because Niels Lyhne reaches his emotional and psychological nadir, experiencing a…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Niels Lyhne
romantic · positive
A youthful, idealistic romance that fades as Niels becomes disillusioned with her… How this plays out →
Niels Lyhne
romantic · positive
A youthful, idealistic romance that fades as Niels becomes disillusioned with her… How this plays out →
Niels Lyhne
romantic · positive
A youthful, idealistic romance that fades as Niels becomes disillusioned with her… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gerda in iii

In the story

Gerda appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gerda unlock in the free preview.

See Gerda in iii

See Gerda in XIII