# Carl Linstrum — O Pioneers! character guide > Carl Linstrum in O Pioneers! by Willa Cather. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Carl, Linstrum **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-the-wild-land ## Snapshot Alexandra's oldest friend, a dreamy engraver who left the Divide for city prospects and returns to find her steadier than ever and no less alone. ## Who they are Carl grew up next to the Bergsons and shared Alexandra's early winters, but he has no stomach for farming and no fortune to offer. His return stirs Lou and Oscar's suspicion that he wants her land, and his gentleness is a quiet counterweight to their grasping. He is the one person who sees Alexandra clearly, which makes him both her comfort and her risk. ## Relationships ### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson) _romantic_ Alexandra and Carl have a deep, enduring romantic bond that survives years of separation. ### [Emil Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/emil_bergson) _friendship_ Carl and Emil share a friendly, brotherly bond, with Carl acting as a mentor figure to the younger Emil. ### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata) _friendship_ Carl and Marie are friendly acquaintances, with Carl observing her unhappiness in marriage. ### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson) _romantic_ Alexandra and Carl have a deep, enduring romantic bond that survives years of separation. ### [Alexandra Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/alexandra_bergson) _romantic_ Alexandra and Carl have a deep, enduring romantic bond that survives years of separation. ### [Emil Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/emil_bergson) _friendship_ Carl and Emil share a friendly, brotherly bond, with Carl acting as a mentor figure to the younger Emil. ### [Emil Bergson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/emil_bergson) _friendship_ Carl and Emil share a friendly, brotherly bond, with Carl acting as a mentor figure to the younger Emil. ### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata) _friendship_ Carl and Marie are friendly acquaintances, with Carl observing her unhappiness in marriage. ### [Marie Shabata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/marie_shabata) _friendship_ Carl and Marie are friendly acquaintances, with Carl observing her unhappiness in marriage. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/i) A frail, sensitive boy with a skeptical outlook; he offers quiet sympathy to Alexandra and shares his magic lantern as a small comfort. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/iii) Joins the visit and listens to Ivar's tales, showing thoughtful interest. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/iv) Informs Alexandra that his family is moving to St. Louis; expresses regret at leaving her and recalls their long friendship. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/iii) Returns to the Divide after many years, on his way to seek fortune in Alaska; visits Alexandra. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/iv) Returns to the Divide after years away; reflects on his life as a wood engraver and his sense of failure and rootlessness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/v) Walks alone at dawn, recalling his childhood with Alexandra, and observes Emil and Marie hunting. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Alexandra to the Shabatas', observes Marie's eyes, and discusses his feelings about returning. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as returning to pay a long deferred visit to Alexandra, marking the timeline of the chapter. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/viii) Discussed by Marie and Emil; Marie likes him and thinks he appreciates Alexandra, while Emil enjoys talking to him about New York. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/ix) Rides with Emil to the fair and spends the afternoon talking to Marie Shabata. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as the subject of the brothers' accusations; he is away at the Catholic fair with Emil during the confrontation. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/xi) Rode to Oscar's with Lou and Oscar to talk; not present in the scene but central to Alexandra's discussion. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/xii) Carl is pale and tired after his anger has burned out; he announces he will go North to seek his fortune, unable to accept Alexandra's offer. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/i) Carl is in Dawson, having sent Alexandra orange flowers from California before the river froze. ### [Part V: Alexandra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/part-v-alexandra) Returns to the Divide and rekindles his friendship with Alexandra, becoming a source of tension with her brothers. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/i) Alexandra wrote to him after Emil's funeral, but he is prospecting in Alaska and has not replied. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/ii) Sends a telegram to Alexandra from Hanover, asking her to hurry back. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/chapters/iii) Returns from the Klondike after hearing of the tragedy, reassures Alexandra, and proposes spending the winter with her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters/carl_linstrum - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/o_pioneers_se/characters