Short Fiction · Character

Gertrude Lodge

A young farmer's bride whose mysterious arm wound slowly costs her beauty, her husband's desire, and her faith in ordinary explanations.

supporting

Also known as Gertrude, Lodge, the sweet and kindly Gertrude Lodge

First appearance: destiny and a blue cloak

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Gertrude Lodge is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A young wife whose life is affected by a mysterious mark and suspicion.

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Gertrude Lodge arrives in the valley as the pretty, kind-hearted wife of a prosperous farmer, proud of the looks her husband admired. When a strange mark appears on her arm and refuses to heal, she turns from cheerful wife to anxious seeker of cures, hiding her visits to a conjuror from the man whose love she fears losing. Her affliction binds her to Rhoda in a dependence neither woman can fully name.

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Character Web

14 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Clever Tricks and Family Legacy
Complex Web of Love and Consequences
Haunting Pasts and Duty
Romantic Entanglements and Consequences
Romantic Misunderstandings and Dilemmas

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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In the story

Gertrude Lodge appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Short Fiction
A young wife whose life is affected by a mysterious mark and suspicion.
XVII
Not present in this chapter.
The Withered Arm
The young and beautiful wife of Farmer Lodge, whose arm becomes withered after a terrifying dream involving Rhoda.
II: The Young Wife
The young wife, described as fresh-faced and lovely, shy about her noisy gown in church.
III: A Vision
Visits Rhoda's cottage with kindness and gifts, but unknowingly reveals a bruise that matches the grip of Rhoda's dream, deepening the mystery.
IV: A Suggestion
Gertrude's arm remains unhealed and painful; she seeks a remedy and, despite her skepticism, decides to visit Conjuror Trendle, asking Rhoda to accompany her.
Conjuror Trendle
Seeks a cure for her afflicted arm; becomes pale and rigid after the divination, and her manner grows constrained.
VI: A Second Attempt
Now five-and-twenty but seeming older, she is consumed by her ailment and has become irritable and superstitious, hoarding quack remedies and charms.
A Ride
Gertrude resolves to follow the conjuror's remedy, secretly riding to Casterbridge to witness an execution and obtain a hanged man's hand.
VIII: A Waterside Hermit
Visits the hangman to arrange a cure for her withered arm by touching the corpse of a condemned man.
IX: A Rencounter
Gertrude, in a desperate attempt to cure her paralyzed arm, touches the neck of the executed man, Rhoda Brook's son. The shock causes her to collapse, and she dies three days later.

Chapter companion notes

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