Heidi · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Heidi by Johanna Spyri.
Chapter 1
Part I: Heidi’s Years of Learning and Travel
This opening section introduces Heidi as she is brought by her aunt Deta to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Heidi quickly adapts to mountain life, befriending the goatherd Peter and visiting his blind grandmother. The chapter also sets up the conflict between the freedom of the mountains and the expectations of society, as a pastor visits to discuss Heidi's schooling.
Chapter 2
With the Grandfather
Heidi explores her new home with her grandfather, helps prepare her bed in the hayloft, shares a meal of toasted cheese and milk, and meets the goats Schwänli and Bärli. She shows independence and curiosity, while the grandfather begins to warm to her presence.
Chapter 3
On the Pasture
Heidi wakes early, excited to join Peter and the goats on the mountain pasture. She washes, receives provisions from her grandfather, and spends the day exploring the alpine meadow, picking flowers, and marveling at the landscape. Peter teaches her about the goats and the mountain, and Heidi shares her lunch with him. At sunset, she is awed by the glowing peaks and asks her grandfather about the eagle's cry and the mountain's colors. She learns that the sun says goodnight to the mountains, and she falls asleep dreaming of the goats and roses.
Chapter 4
In the Grandmother’s Hut
Heidi continues her healthy life on the mountain, growing stronger and more sunburnt. As autumn and then winter arrive, she stays home during storms, enjoying her grandfather's company. When deep snow falls, Peter visits and mentions his grandmother wants to see Heidi. Heidi persuades her grandfather to take her down to Peter's hut, where she meets the blind grandmother and is deeply moved by her inability to see. Heidi promises to ask her grandfather to fix the rattling house and bring light to the grandmother. The grandfather later repairs the hut, bringing joy to the grandmother.
Chapter 5
Two Visitors
Two winters have passed, and Heidi is nearly eight years old, living happily with her grandfather. The village pastor visits to insist that Heidi attend school, but the grandfather refuses, arguing the distance and weather are too harsh. The next day, Aunt Deta arrives with news of a wealthy family in Frankfurt seeking a companion for their lame daughter, Clara. Despite Heidi's protests and the grandmother's pleas, Deta persuades Heidi to leave by promising she can return soon and bring soft rolls for the grandmother. Heidi is taken away, leaving the grandfather more reclusive and the grandmother heartbroken.
Chapter 6
A New Chapter with New Things
Heidi arrives at the Sesemann household in Frankfurt and meets Clara Sesemann, a sick child who uses a rolling-chair. Deta leaves Heidi with the housekeeper Miss Rottenmeier, who is dismayed to learn that Heidi is only eight years old and cannot read. Clara is delighted by Heidi's candidness and looks forward to having a companion. Heidi struggles with the unfamiliar rules and customs of the household, falls asleep at the dinner table, and is eventually taken to her bedroom.
Chapter 7
Miss Rottenmeier Has an Uncomfortable Day
Heidi wakes up disoriented in the Sesemann house, struggles to adjust to her new environment, and feels trapped like a bird in a cage. She accidentally causes chaos during lessons by pulling down a tablecloth, then wanders the streets seeking a view of the valley, eventually climbing a church tower with a kind keeper. She returns home with two kittens, causing further uproar with Miss Rottenmeier, who fears cats.
Chapter 8
VIII: Great Disturbances in the Sesemann House
Heidi's homesickness intensifies as she hoards rolls for the blind grandmother and tries to run away to the Alps. Miss Rottenmeier grows increasingly frustrated, while Clara enjoys Heidi's company. The household is thrown into chaos by a street boy with a barrel-organ, a turtle, and a basket of kittens, leading to Heidi being threatened with punishment in the cellar.
Chapter 9
The Master of the House Hears of Strange Doings
Mr. Sesemann returns home and hears complaints from Miss Rottenmeier about Heidi's strange behavior, including bringing animals into the house. After speaking with Clara and the tutor, he decides Heidi is normal and sweet, and allows her to stay. He announces that his mother will visit soon to help manage the household.
Chapter 10
X: A Grandmama
Grandmama arrives at the Sesemann household and immediately takes an interest in Heidi. She discovers Heidi's inability to read, stemming from Peter's discouraging words. Through kindness and encouragement, Grandmama teaches Heidi to read, gives her a cherished book of stories, and also addresses Heidi's deep homesickness by teaching her to pray. Heidi's reading improves dramatically, and she finds comfort in her new faith.
Chapter 11
XI: Heidi Gains in Some Respects and Loses in Others
Heidi spends time with Grandmama, learning to sew and reading, but remains deeply sad. Grandmama counsels her about prayer and faith, explaining that God hears all prayers and gives what is best. After Grandmama leaves, Heidi becomes distraught when a story about a grandmother's death makes her fear for her own grandmother and grandfather. Miss Rottenmeier threatens to take away her book if she cries, so Heidi suppresses her emotions, growing paler and more withdrawn as she longs for the mountains.
Chapter 12
The Sesemann House Is Haunted
The Sesemann household is terrified by a nightly ghost that leaves the front door open. After failed attempts by the servants to catch it, Mr. Sesemann returns home and enlists the help of his friend Dr. Classen. They stay up to watch and discover that the 'ghost' is actually Heidi, who is sleepwalking due to severe homesickness. The doctor diagnoses her condition and insists she must return to the Alps immediately to recover.
Chapter 13
Up the Alp on a Summer Evening
Heidi returns to her grandfather's hut on the Alp, overwhelmed with joy at the sight of the mountains and the sunset. She visits the blind grandmother, gives her rolls, and exchanges her city clothes for her old ones. She reunites with Peter and the goats, and sleeps peacefully in her loft, her homesickness finally cured.
Chapter 14
XIV: On Sunday When the Church Bells Ring
Heidi visits the blind grandmother, who has regained strength from the rolls. Heidi decides to use her money to buy fresh rolls daily for the grandmother. She reads a hymn from the grandmother's songbook, bringing joy and light to the old woman. On Sunday, Heidi and her grandfather attend church, where the grandfather reconciles with the pastor and the villagers, deciding to spend the winter in the village. A letter from Clara announces a planned visit to Ragatz with Grandmama, who also wants to see the grandmother.
Chapter 15
Part II: Heidi Makes Use of Her Experience
Heidi applies the lessons she learned in Frankfurt to her life in the mountains, showing growth and maturity.
Chapter 16
Preparations for a Journey
The doctor, grieving the loss of his daughter, visits Mr. Sesemann to discuss Clara's planned trip to the Alps. Due to Clara's health, the doctor advises against the journey, but Mr. Sesemann suggests the doctor go in their stead. Clara agrees and sends the doctor with gifts and messages for Heidi. Miss Rottenmeier helps pack the items, and Sebastian delivers them to the doctor's house.
Chapter 17
A Guest on the Alp
Heidi wakes to a beautiful morning on the Alp and eagerly awaits visitors from Frankfurt. The doctor arrives alone, explaining that Clara and Grandmama could not come due to Clara's illness. Heidi comforts him and brings him to her grandfather. They share a meal, and a package from Frankfurt arrives containing gifts for Heidi and the grandmother. Heidi is overjoyed by the doctor's visit and later delivers the gifts to Peter's family. The chapter ends with Heidi and her grandfather returning home under the stars.
Chapter 18
Retaliation
The doctor spends time on the Alp with Heidi and her grandfather, finding healing in the mountain environment. Heidi comforts him with her faith and recites verses that remind him of his childhood. Peter grows jealous of the doctor's attention to Heidi and shakes his fist in anger. The doctor eventually must return to Frankfurt, and Heidi offers to go with him, but he insists she stay for her health, asking only that she come if he ever needs her.
Chapter 19
Winter in the Village
Heidi visits the blind grandmother during winter, reads hymns to comfort her, and later devises a plan to help her. She attends school eagerly while waiting for the snow to freeze so she can visit again. Peter learns a lesson about attending school from the Alm-Uncle.
Chapter 20
Winter Still Continues
Heidi takes it upon herself to teach Peter to read, using a rhyming ABC book sent by Clara. She motivates him with threats of being sent to a large school in Frankfurt, and Peter eventually learns all his letters. He begins reading hymns to his grandmother, though his reading is still rough. The schoolteacher is amazed at Peter's progress and learns that Heidi and the Alm-Uncle were responsible.
Chapter 21
News from Distant Friends
Heidi's friends from Frankfurt—Clara, Grandmama, and their attendants—arrive in the Alps for a visit. Clara is awestruck by the mountain scenery, and Grandmama and the Alm-Uncle agree that Clara should stay for a time to regain her strength. The chapter ends with the two girls sleeping in the hayloft, gazing at the stars and saying their prayers.
Chapter 22
Of Further Events on the Alp
Clara continues to thrive in the Alpine environment, enjoying the fresh air, milk, and new beds sent by Grandmama. The grandfather encourages Clara to stand a little longer each day, and plans are made for a trip to the pasture. Peter grows jealous and angry, while the children write letters and enjoy the peaceful mountain life.
Chapter 23
Something Unexpected Happens
Peter, jealous of Clara's presence, destroys Clara's wheelchair by pushing it down the mountain. Despite this, the grandfather carries Clara up to the pasture, where Heidi and Peter help her attempt to walk. With encouragement, Clara takes her first steps, fulfilling her greatest wish. The grandfather supports her, and Peter later sees the wrecked chair being discussed in the village.
Chapter 24
Parting to Meet Again
The chapter concludes with joyful reunions and future plans. Mr. Sesemann promises to provide for Heidi after her grandfather's death, and Dr. Classen plans to move to the village. Heidi requests her Frankfurt bed for the blind grandmother, and Mrs. Sesemann assures the grandmother that Heidi will stay. Clara departs tearfully but promises to send salt for Schwänli. The bed arrives, and the doctor builds a new house for himself, Heidi, and her grandfather, ensuring a secure future.
