# Bloom — Short Fiction character guide

> Bloom in Short Fiction by Hjalmar Söderberg.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0003-bloom

## Snapshot

A freed convict drifting toward the woods outside Stockholm, torn between a serving-maid's bankbook and a dressmaker's red lips.

## Who they are

Freshly out of prison, Bloom savors a morning of sunlight and open air before he must hunt for work and a cheap lodging. His past is a tangle of waning Baptist faith, a betrothal to the moneyed Tekla, and a ruinous affair with the inconstant Edith that ended in a theft charge and his first sentence. He walks toward Lilyholm with the woods on his mind, a man whose small pleasures have always cost him more than they were worth.

## Relationships

### [Edith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/edith)

_romantic_

Bloom and Edith share a close romantic bond, marked by frequent and intimate interactions.

### [Tekla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/tekla)

_romantic_

Bloom and Tekla have a passionate romantic relationship, possibly a love triangle with Edith.

## In the story

### [Short Fiction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/short-fiction)

Released from prison and later feeds the ducks.

### [Bloom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/bloom)

Released from prison after nine months; feels a surge of happiness and hunger; feeds ducks and reflects on his transformation; meets Edith; is robbed of his money and certificate.

### [The Blue Anchor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/the-blue-anchor)

Bloom is present at the funeral and the Blue Anchor gathering.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/bloom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters