Short Fiction · Character

Gudmund Erlandsson

A well-to-do young farmer driving his fine horse and pretty cart, whose casual kindness to a marsh girl sets his conscience and his pride at war.

major

Also known as IV, Gudmund, IV Gudmund, VI Gudmund

First appearance: short fiction

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Gudmund Erlandsson is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A character who interacts with Ingrid, representing the local community's attitudes.

In the storyThe Girl from the Marsh CroftOpen this moment free

Gudmund moves between the respectable estate of the Juryman and the rough path to Big Marsh croft, courting Hildur's approving glances while half-ashamed of how he treated Helga on the road. His flaw is a self-satisfaction that mistakes courtesy for justice, and his desire to be thought well of pulls against a growing wish to honor the girl he wronged. His early choices — the ride, the courtroom, the moonlit walk to the croft — quietly set the moral stakes of the tale.

See Gudmund Erlandsson in The Girl from the Marsh Croft Book page

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Character Web

52 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Historical and Legendary Figures
Italian and Religious Folktale Figures
Artists and Moral Subjects
Diverse Historical, Biblical, and Legendary Figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the bee, having been created to gather honey, is directly con…

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Relationships

Helga
family · positive
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life. How this plays out →
Hildur Ericsdotter
family · positive
Robber Mother
rivalry · negative
Father Verneau
professional · positive
Helga
family · positive
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life. How this plays out →
Helga
family · positive
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life. How this plays out →
Father Verneau
professional · positive
Robber Mother
rivalry · negative
Hildur Ericsdotter
family · positive
Hildur Ericsdotter
family · positive
Father Verneau
professional · positive
Robber Mother
rivalry · negative

Helga
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.
Hildur Ericsdotter
Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.
Robber Mother
Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.
Father Verneau
Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.
Helga
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.
Helga
Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.
Father Verneau
Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.
Robber Mother
Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.
Hildur Ericsdotter
Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.
Hildur Ericsdotter
Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.
Father Verneau
Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.
Robber Mother
Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.

Relationship notes

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

See Gudmund Erlandsson in short fiction

In the story

Gudmund Erlandsson appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Girl from the Marsh Croft
A character who interacts with Ingrid, representing the local community's attitudes.
I
The defendant, a prosperous married man, who is prepared to swear falsely to deny paternity.
II
Initially shuns Helga after learning her identity, but later seeks her out to offer her a position as his mother's nurse and prevents her from harming herself.
III
Gudmund walks with Helga, listens to her story, and is courted by Hildur Ericsdotter.
IV
Struggles with his conscience over sending Helga away to please Hildur; drinks to suppress doubts; feels pride in walking with Helga despite the risk.
V
Confesses to killing a man; realizes his love for Helga.
VI
The accused man who is reconciled with Hildur and later confronts Helga.

Chapter companion notes

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See Gudmund Erlandsson in short fiction

See Gudmund Erlandsson in The Girl from the Marsh Croft