# Helga — Short Fiction character guide

> Helga in Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** III Helga, This Helga

**First appearance:** 0013-the-romance-of-a-fisherman-s-wife

## Snapshot

A servant girl from the marsh croft, grateful for her place at Närlunda yet quietly haunted by the shame of her origins.

## Who they are

Helga works in Gudmund's household and adores Hildur, the elegant young mistress she hopes to serve for years to come. But a whispered remark from the Juryman's wife — that a girl from the marsh croft hardly belongs in such a house — lingers in her mind, and her old intimacy with Gudmund complicates her place. Her loyalty, her longing to belong, and the memory of one moonlit night shape the quiet ache at the center of her days.

## Relationships

### [Gudmund Erlandsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/gudmund_erlandsson)

_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_

Helga and Hildur are mother and daughter, with Hildur guiding and nurturing Helga.

### [Gudmund Erlandsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/gudmund_erlandsson)

_family_

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

### [Gudmund Erlandsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/gudmund_erlandsson)

_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_

Helga and Hildur are mother and daughter, with Hildur guiding and nurturing Helga.

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

_family_

Helga and Hildur are mother and daughter, with Hildur guiding and nurturing Helga.

## In the story

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

Returns home after renouncing Per Mårtensson's help, is supported by her parents, and later is offered a position by Gudmund after he witnesses her bravery in court.

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

Helga recounts her homesickness and the ash ritual to Gudmund, and later faces dismissal from Närlunda.

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

Selflessly withdrew her suit to protect Gudmund from perjury; becomes Gudmund's moral standard; warns Gudmund away when Hildur approaches.

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

Waits for Gudmund in the forest; learns of his confession and embraces him.

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

Rushes to Älvåkra to persuade Hildur to reconcile with Gudmund, later confronts Gudmund on the road.

## Links

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