# Hildur Ericsdotter — Short Fiction character guide

> Hildur Ericsdotter in Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hildur

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

## Snapshot

A proud farmer's daughter who rides to Närlunda to take back a cruel word, only to find her honesty tested by someone else's quiet scheme.

## Who they are

Hildur has broken off with Gudmund over a knife and a murder charge, and her morning words were too hard to leave standing. Pressed by Helga to hurry over and make amends, she arrives at the Erlandsson farm flushed and faltering, unable to play the noble penitent. Her confession that she only came because someone told her to—and her refusal to be thought better than she is—exposes the small vanities and real longings that make her fate matter.

## Relationships

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

_family_

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

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

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

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

_family_

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

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

_family_

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

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

_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)

Appears briefly at the gate of her father's estate, exchanging pleasantries with Gudmund.

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

Hildur visits Närlunda as Gudmund's prospective bride, impressing Helga with her beauty and confidence.

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

Demands that Helga be sent away from Närlunda; perceived by Gudmund as petty and heartless, yet he proceeds with the marriage for wealth.

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

The intended bride; reacts with silence to Gudmund's confession.

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

The bride who initially rejects Gudmund but is persuaded by Helga to reconcile with him.

## Links

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