# Ellen — Pelle the Conqueror character guide > Ellen in Pelle the Conqueror by Martin Andersen Nexø. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mother Ellen, Mistress Ellen **First appearance:** 0001-pelle-the-conqueror ## Who they are Pelle's steadfast wife, who takes in the children of his mistakes and asks for nothing grander than a man who can be relied upon. ## Relationships ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _romantic_ Ellen is Pelle's wife, their relationship is central to his personal life and emotional support. ### [Father Lasse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/father_lasse) _family_ Ellen is Lasse's daughter-in-law, and they share a respectful and caring family relationship. ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _romantic_ Ellen is Pelle's wife, their relationship is central to his personal life and emotional support. ### [Pelle the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/pelle_the_conqueror) _romantic_ Ellen is Pelle's wife, their relationship is central to his personal life and emotional support. ### [Father Lasse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/father_lasse) _family_ Ellen is Lasse's daughter-in-law, and they share a respectful and caring family relationship. ### [Father Lasse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/father_lasse) _family_ Ellen is Lasse's daughter-in-law, and they share a respectful and caring family relationship. ## In the story ### [Pelle's Stand Against the Court Shoemaker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/x) Stolpe's daughter, becomes Pelle's passionate lover, known as 'the Saint' for her devotion. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xi) Ellen is mentioned as having sent a message through Marie, which Marie deliberately withheld. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xv) Ellen is Pelle's fiancée, helping prepare their home and supporting him emotionally. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xvi) Pregnant and later gives birth to a son; her love for Pelle is all-consuming; she drives his ambition for a better home and career, while her gaze holds a mysterious depth. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xvii) Devoted wife and mother; shares Sunday outings with Pelle and little Lasse. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xviii) Supports Pelle emotionally but is hesitant about sacrificing their home; tries to soothe his anger. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xix) Pelle's wife, silently hostile to his union activities, treated by Pelle as a child. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xx) Pelle's wife, who sees little of him during the conflict. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxi) Ellen is mentioned as part of Pelle's quiet home life, which he longs for but feels increasingly distant from due to his activism. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxiii) Ellen shows remarkable resilience and generosity, managing their meager resources and insisting that Father Lasse come live with them after she gives birth. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxvi) Rejoices at Pelle's work, manages household debts, and supports his new opportunity. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxvii) Manages the household, plans for the new home, and reacts with fear to the strike news. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxviii) Has been joyfully preparing for a higher social station; is devastated by Pelle's decision. ### [The Lockout and the Leader's Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxx) Silently opposes Pelle's strike leadership, wishing he would find work; her stubborn silence creates a rift at home. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxxi) Silently opposes Pelle's devotion to the movement; works outside the home and maintains a tidy household despite poverty. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxxii) Pelle avoids breakfast with her due to shame over being cared for at others' expense. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxxiii) Distant and silent toward Pelle, she wins lottery money which transforms her mood, making her affectionate and supportive of his work for the Cause. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxxiv) Sells her wedding dress and lies about winning the lottery; Pelle discovers the truth and she leaves him. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxxvii) Mentioned as estranged from Pelle; he cannot reconcile with her. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/i) Pelle dreams of her and searches for her in Copenhagen, but finds she has moved; she appears in his dream as a stranger who does not recognize him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/ii) Welcomes Pelle home, cares for the children, and reveals Marie's death. She looks exhausted from staying up to unlock the door for Pelle. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/iii) Evicted with the children, accepts help from Queen Theresa, continues washing work despite Pelle's objections. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/iv) Pelle's wife, who has taken in Marie's child Boy Comfort and cares for him tenderly, showing her large heart. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/v) Works hard to support the family, dreams of rising to a better social stratum, but struggles to understand Pelle's intellectual pursuits. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/vi) Upset about lodgers who left without paying and ruined bedclothes; Pelle comforts her. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/vii) Desperately sells furniture and borrows money to pay debts; strongly opposes Pelle's new role as a vice-landlord, recalling her own experience of being evicted. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/viii) Works as a washerwoman, cares for children, suggests borrowing from Brun, breaks down when bailiffs arrive. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/ix) Ellen shows resignation and gratitude for escaping the moneylender, but Pelle feels something has died within her. ### [Daybreak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/x) Ellen is talkative and full of plans for their home, advises Pelle against hiring Peter Dreyer, and is hesitant about moving to the country. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xii) Sent Pelle to propose Johanna's visit; mentioned affectionately by Pelle. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xiii) Waits at the gate for Pelle, glows with health and happiness, tends the garden, and embodies motherly warmth and intuitive wisdom. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xiv) Ellen nurses Johanna day and night, manages the household, and reveals she is pregnant. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xv) Helps Morten pack for his journey, showing practical care; is pregnant and radiates a dreamy gentleness. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xvii) Anxiously cares for Anna, fetches the doctor, and comforts the child during her illness. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xviii) Ellen asserts her independence by insisting on buying 'Daybreak' and a meadow for speculation, challenging Pelle and Brun's decisions. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xix) Pregnant, knits industriously despite low wages, and participates in family conversations about nature and the poor. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xx) Cares for Brun's health, knitting him a scarf and insisting he rest, while also feeling a touch of jealousy over his bond with Pelle. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxi) Ellen gives birth to a baby boy and orchestrates reconciliation with her parents. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxii) Pelle strikes a match to see Ellen and the children in the night. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/chapters/xxiii) Sits with Pelle in the garden, cares for their baby, and reacts with concern to Brun's letter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters/ellen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pelle_the_conqueror_se/characters