# Gudmund Erlandsson — Short Fiction character guide

> Gudmund Erlandsson in Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** IV, Gudmund, IV Gudmund, VI Gudmund

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Helga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/helga)

_family_

Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.

### [Hildur Ericsdotter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/hildur_ericsdotter)

_family_

Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.

### [Robber Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/robber_mother)

_rivalry_

Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.

### [Father Verneau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/father_verneau)

_professional_

Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.

### [Helga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/helga)

_family_

Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.

### [Helga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/helga)

_family_

Gudmund is Helga's father, a protective and authoritative figure in her life.

### [Father Verneau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/father_verneau)

_professional_

Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.

### [Robber Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/robber_mother)

_rivalry_

Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.

### [Hildur Ericsdotter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/hildur_ericsdotter)

_family_

Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.

### [Hildur Ericsdotter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/hildur_ericsdotter)

_family_

Gudmund and Hildur are married, sharing a partnership rooted in duty and mutual respect.

### [Father Verneau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/father_verneau)

_professional_

Father Verneau and Gudmund are colleagues in the church and community, working together on moral and social matters.

### [Robber Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/robber_mother)

_rivalry_

Gudmund is in conflict with the Robber Mother, who leads a band of outlaws threatening his community.

## In the story

### [The Girl from the Marsh Croft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/the-girl-from-the-marsh-croft)

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

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/i)

The defendant, a prosperous married man, who is prepared to swear falsely to deny paternity.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/iii)

Gudmund walks with Helga, listens to her story, and is courted by Hildur Ericsdotter.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/v)

Confesses to killing a man; realizes his love for Helga.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/vi)

The accused man who is reconciled with Hildur and later confronts Helga.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/gudmund_erlandsson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters