# Gerda Torp — Wolf Solent character guide > Gerda Torp in Wolf Solent by John Cowper Powys. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gerda, Mr. Torp, Torp, the good Torp, the torpid Torp, Lob, Lob Torp, Little Gerda, young Torp **First appearance:** 0005-gerda ## Snapshot A stonecutter's daughter with a society voice she puts on for her mother, Gerda is earthy, quick, and already half-pledged to Wolf before he understands what that means. ## Who they are Gerda pours tea, jerks her mother's bonnet straight, and deflects Mrs. Torp's talk of blasphemous miracle-plays with a ringing question about cake. Her lightness is a form of competence, and her loyalty to Wolf is tangled with her family's rough, superstitious world. She anchors the novel's domestic and village life, and her claim on Wolf is the one he keeps testing against Christie's. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent) _rivalry_ Gerda, as Wolf's earthy lover, is in direct conflict with Mrs. Solent's possessive, controlling nature over her son. ### [Bob Weevil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/bob_weevil) _friendship_ Bob Weevil and Gerda Torp are friends and fellow villagers, often interacting in casual, earthy social settings. ### [Christie Malakite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/christie_malakite) _rivalry_ Christie and Gerda are rivals for Wolf's affection, representing opposing spiritual and sensual forces in his life. ### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent) _rivalry_ Gerda, as Wolf's earthy lover, is in direct conflict with Mrs. Solent's possessive, controlling nature over her son. ### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent) _rivalry_ Gerda, as Wolf's earthy lover, is in direct conflict with Mrs. Solent's possessive, controlling nature over her son. ### [Bob Weevil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/bob_weevil) _friendship_ Bob Weevil and Gerda Torp are friends and fellow villagers, often interacting in casual, earthy social settings. ### [Bob Weevil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/bob_weevil) _friendship_ Bob Weevil and Gerda Torp are friends and fellow villagers, often interacting in casual, earthy social settings. ### [Christie Malakite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/christie_malakite) _rivalry_ Christie and Gerda are rivals for Wolf's affection, representing opposing spiritual and sensual forces in his life. ### [Christie Malakite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/christie_malakite) _rivalry_ Christie and Gerda are rivals for Wolf's affection, representing opposing spiritual and sensual forces in his life. ## In the story ### [The Blackbird's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-blackbird-s-song) Gerda meets Wolf by the river, exposing her legs in a cold twilight. She speaks candidly about marriage, suggesting they would suit each other. ### [Yellow Bracken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/yellow-bracken) Seated by the river with Lobbie, arranging a wicker-basket; shares a shy moment with Wolf. ### [The Three Peewits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-three-peewits) Gerda is mentioned indirectly when Mr. Torp warns Wolf about her and farmers make crude insinuations. ### [Christie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/christie) Gerda playfully evades Wolf's advances during a chase around the table, then leaves reproachfully after Wolf's abrupt question about lunch. ### [The Tea-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-tea-party) Flirtatious and happy during the tea party, shows a familiar gesture toward Bob Weevil that unsettles Wolf. ### [The Slowworm of Lenty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-slowworm-of-lenty) Waits for Wolf in nightdress and dressing-gown; engages in passionate lovemaking; later worries about Wolf's lateness. ### [Rounded with a Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/rounded-with-a-sleep) Sleeps deeply on Poll's Camp, appearing to Wolf as being in league with heathen powers, which stirs his jealousy and doubt. ### [A Game of Bowls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/a-game-of-bowls) Wolf remembers her last words about waiting for him; he decides to return home to her. ### [This Is Reality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/this-is-reality) Gerda appears calm and domestic, asking Wolf to check on a candle, while Wolf's suspicions about her linger. ### [The School-Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-school-treat) Defiantly angry at Mrs. Solent's interference, feeling her one treat ruined; later seen with Bob Weevil at the dance, fueling Wolf's suspicion. ### [Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wine) Wolf suspects she is with Bob Weevil; she has lost her bird-whistling ability. ### [Mr. Malakite at Weymouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/mr-malakite-at-weymouth) Gerda is mentioned as waiting at home; Wolf worries about her vexation at his late return. ### [Slate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/slate) Wolf thinks of her longing for household items as he struggles with the decision to return the cheque. ### [The Quick or the Dead?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-quick-or-the-dead) Asleep or pretending; distant and unhappy; goes to Chequers Street with Lobbie. ### [Lenty Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/lenty-pond) Kissed farewell by Wolf at the gate; later to be visited by Darnley on Wolf's behalf. ### [Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/forget) Gerda shows tender concern for Wolf during his nightmare and discusses plans for the wedding and a possible weekend at the Burden. ### [Ripeness Is All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/ripeness-is-all) Her radiance under Carfax's admiration causes Wolf to feel slighted and worry about her simplicity. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/gerda_torp - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters