The object of this study has been to establish how language is used to present and establish a person’s identity. The studied language usage is that of renowned author Selma Lagerlöf and the language studied is that of her personal correspondence. This language picture is placed alongside the public depiction of her and a comparison of sorts is made. The chosen method has been to study Lagerlöf’sprivate correspondence and to compare her language markers in those to the literature history’s picture of her. In order to comprehend and use the collected information theories concerning gender and letters throughout history are used. The result has been that there is a vast divergence between the language markers used in private and those used in public settings. It has further brought to light that the public identity diminishes the person Selma Lagerlöf as being lesser due to her gender. Viewed from a didactic point it is alighted that a combination of already existing school materials in combination with a wider view is a valuable teaching aid. What this study shows is mainly a means towards an end, in other words, a way to show the students how to find out for themselves whether a presented picture is valid or not.