Character Relationship Map: About Tilla

Characters

• Barnepsykologen (played by Toralv Maurstad) — protagonist

  A child psychologist who had previously observed Tilla. He visits her mother, Maria, at Oslo's Botanical Garden and persuades her to bring Tilla to the children's psychiatric clinic so treatment can b...

• Sjefspsykologen (played by Wenche Foss) — supporting

  The chief physician at the children's psychiatric clinic, whom Maria and Tilla meet after arriving there. The story identifies her as Mimi Backer; she is part of the clinic's team as they begin observ...

• Maria (played by Eva Henning) — supporting

  Tilla's mother, who is visited by the child psychologist at Oslo's Botanical Garden. Although she had not returned with Tilla after an earlier period of observation, she is persuaded to bring her daug...

Story Analysis

A child's silent struggle and gradual expression through therapeutic play.

Plot Progression

1. Garden Consultation — Psychologist Ivar meets Maria at the Botanical Garden to discuss Tilla's past observation. Maria initially hesitates due to her failure to return the child earlier.
2. Clinical Transition — Ivar successfully persuades Maria to bring Tilla to the psychiatric clinic. They arrive and are greeted by chief physician Mimi Backer.
3. Observation Phase — Medical staff document Tilla's eighteen-month mutism and prepare the observation room. The clinical environment shifts focus to silent assessment.
4. Playful Revelation — Tilla begins selecting toys to construct a secret world. These objects become her primary medium for non-verbal emotional expression.