Ingrid Carmichel Character Analysis in The Time Traveler’s Wife

Ingrid is Henry’s ex-girlfriend. He dates her sometime before meeting Clare in the novel’s present, and they have a turbulent relationship due to Henry’s constant disappearances and occasional infidelity. Though Ingrid periodically breaks things off with Henry, she largely tolerates his behavior. Ingrid suffers from depression throughout the time she and Henry are together, and when he suddenly and permanently leaves her for Clare, the abandonment negatively impacts her mental health. Celia remains Ingrid’s main ally and supporter throughout the novel. Gomez’s early reservations about Henry are rooted in the things he has heard about him from Celia and Ingrid. Alba also meets Ingrid during her trips to visit Henry in the past. Ingrid ultimately dies by suicide in 2004; after arguing with Henry, who time travels to Ingrid shortly before his own death, Ingrid shoots herself in front of him.

Ingrid Carmichel Character Timeline in The Time Traveler’s Wife

The timeline below shows where the character Ingrid Carmichel appears in The Time Traveler’s Wife. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...hungover. While he completes his work, he reflects on last night’s drunken, tense evening with Ingrid Carmichel. On his way to get a cup of coffee, Henry’s coworker Isabelle asks him... (full context)

...seeing each other on this day, Kimy is out of the country visiting family, and Ingrid has her own family Christmas plans. No one else seems to be free. Henry buys... (full context)

...parents the next day. Henry declines, thinking about how he has long refused to meet Ingrid’s parents. Mia mixes him more drinks before eventually cutting him off; shortly after, he collapses... (full context)

...Gomez confirms Henry’s guess, telling him that he’d seen Henry there with a girl named Ingrid. They all discuss their affection for punk music until the night winds down. As Clare... (full context)

...he has a reputation for leaving broken women in his wake. Gomez wonders aloud why Ingrid recently tried to kill herself, why Henry’s age appears to shift both in person and... (full context)

...truth, starting with the events of that night. After, Henry asks Gomez how he knows Ingrid. Gomez explains that he knows Celia Attley, Ingrid’s best friend. Henry asks how Ingrid tried... (full context)

...leaves to find him. Henry is mid-argument with a blond woman she later learns is Ingrid. Henry sees Clare and ushers her away with him as Ingrid watches. Back upstairs, Clare... (full context)

When Clare takes a break from dancing, she finds Ingrid being consoled by a friend (Celia Attley) in the bathroom. The two women notice Clare,... (full context)

Older Henry comforts Clare and asks her what’s wrong. She explains what Ingrid’s friend said in the bathroom; Henry identifies the friend as Celia Attley. He tells Clare... (full context)

...paper at a diner while she worries about Henry, who disappeared days ago. Just then, Ingrid’s friend Celia sees her in the window and decides to join her. Celia tells Clare... (full context)

When Clare and Celia arrive together at the bar nearby, Ingrid is far less eager to include Clare. Celia tries to convince Ingrid to indulge her... (full context)

...have a drink. Ben wonders aloud who Celia is, and Henry explains she’s friends with Ingrid. Ben then asks Henry what is wrong with Gomez. Henry doesn’t answer, and Ben doesn’t... (full context)

...arrives for his last night of supervision. There, he dreams of running, having sex with Ingrid, and walking through a museum with Clare. Henry is torn from sleep and wakes up... (full context)

Friday, April 27, 1990 (Henry is 26). Henry is at a concert with Ingrid. The two dance all night, sweating through their clothes. Afterward, Henry waits outside while Ingrid... (full context)

...The next thing he knows, he’s in a dark room. Henry recognizes the smell of Ingrid’s perfume. She is arriving home from a night out with Celia, whom she abruptly asks... (full context)

Ingrid tells Henry he looks unwell; he tells her she is right and reveals his amputated... (full context)

Henry asks Ingrid to be kind to herself. In response, she demands to know why he was so... (full context)

Ingrid lights a cigarette. She asks Henry what happened to him, and he tells her about... (full context)

...asleep, she continues down the hall to the living room. She finds Henry distraught over Ingrid’s suicide. They discuss the events of his visit to the past until Alba wakes up... (full context)

...regrets seeing him in this state. She presents him with a photo of himself that Ingrid took in 1990. He thanks her and regards it as an omen of death. Celia... (full context)

Saturday, September 3, 1990 (Henry is 27). Henry and Ingrid have been out drinking and are now too drunk to locate Ingrid’s car. Ingrid is... (full context)