# Ferdinanda Schmidt — The Breaking of the Storm character guide > Ferdinanda Schmidt in The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ferdinanda, Fräulein Ferdinanda Schmidt, Fräulein Schmidt **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot Reinhold's cousin and a sculptor of grim talent, whose tired eyes and bitter smile conceal a life lived over a volcano. ## Who they are Ferdinanda works in her father's studio, carving a maiden with a sickle whose lovely face carries a warning rather than a welcome. She moves through the household with a half-sullen, impenetrable manner, accustomed to her father's tyrannical moods and the constant threat of ruin. Her clear-eyed criticism of Reinhold's romanticism and her own guarded sorrow make her the novel's sharpest observer of the cost of living under another's will. ## Relationships ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _family_ Ferdinanda is Reinhold's mother, a strong and protective figure who deeply cares for her son's welfare. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _family_ Ferdinanda is Reinhold's mother, a strong and protective figure who deeply cares for her son's welfare. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _family_ Ferdinanda is Reinhold's mother, a strong and protective figure who deeply cares for her son's welfare. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Reinhold's cousin; tall, handsome, with melancholy blue eyes, seems cold and formal toward Reinhold and Ottomar. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Reinhold's cousin, present at supper; she replies evasively about Philip's absence. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Present at the table but does not join much in the conversation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Seen walking in the moonlit garden, leaning against the wall, and picking up a white object; later blushes and turns pale when the Werbens are mentioned. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as working in her studio since nine o'clock and noted for her beauty and talent. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) Reinhold suspects she is in her studio; Uncle Ernst urges Reinhold to visit her. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Works on her sculpture, rebukes Antonio's advances, and forgives him for the last time. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) In deep emotional turmoil over her secret love for Ottomar; reads his letter repeatedly, feels trapped and desperate. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Accompanies Reinhold in the carriage, discusses family tensions, and is a sculptor whose work is admired. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Arranges a clandestine meeting with Ottomar in the gallery, expresses frustration and demands decisive action, but is forced to leave abruptly when her acquaintances approach. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Ferdinanda is found by Reinhold and Philip, appearing gloomy and distracted, and insists on leaving. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned by Ernst as a possible wife for Reinhold, though Ernst criticizes women's roles and his own relationship with her. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Sculptor; threatens to leave her Reaper statue unfinished after criticism; exchanges glances with Ottomar. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Emancipated from her aunt's control, she lies about her evening plans and leaves the house, aware of being followed. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Meets Ottomar in the Bellevue Garden; expresses deep love and devotion, jesting about being presented as his bride; leaves alone in a cab, dreaming of their happy hour. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Ferdinanda is seen walking in the garden, lost in thought, without noticing the rain. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Ferdinanda experiences a tumultuous emotional journey from ecstatic love to bitter shame and pride, ultimately rejecting Ottomar von Werben after learning he does not love her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Lies senseless and feverish after the confrontation, eventually declared out of danger by doctors. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as the recipient of Bertalda's confession; reacts with extreme emotion. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned by Elsa as suffering due to the entangled faults and follies involving Ottomar. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned by Justus; working on a Bacchante in her studio, showing genius but also madness and caricature due to her emotional state. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Ferdinanda is the sculptor, torn between her love for Ottomar and her duty to her father. She prepares to leave with Bertalda to save Ottomar. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Has eloped; her letter to Uncle Ernst accuses him of sacrificing love to pride. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Ferdinanda is consumed by grief and self-doubt, believing her love has become a burden to Ottomar. She sacrifices herself by taking a fatal stab intended for him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/ferdinanda_schmidt - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters