Heidi · Chapter
VIII: Great Disturbances in the Sesemann House explained
Heidi's homesickness intensifies as she hoards rolls for the blind grandmother and tries to run away to the Alps.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Home and Belonging
Heidi's intense homesickness and failed escape attempt highlight her deep longing for the Alps and her grandfather.
Compassion and Generosity
Heidi's hoarding of rolls for the blind grandmother and Clara's promise to provide more rolls demonstrate compassion and generosity.
Characters to notice
- Heidi
Desperately homesick, hoards rolls for the grandmother, attempts to run away, and is threatened with cellar punishment.
- Clara Sesemann
Enjoys Heidi's company, promises rolls for the grandmother, and defends Heidi against Miss Rottenmeier.
- Miss Rottenmeier
Frustrated by the disturbances, confiscates Heidi's bread and hat, and threatens to send Heidi to the cellar.
- Sebastian
Saves Heidi's straw hat, helps the street boy, and witnesses the chaos with amusement.
- Grandmother
The blind grandmother for whom Heidi hoards rolls, mentioned in Heidi's laments.
Key passages
“Heidi threw herself down now on Clara’s chair and sobbed as if her heart would break. 'Now I can’t bring grandmother any rolls! Oh, they were for grandmother!' she lamented.”
Heidi collapsed onto Clara's chair, weeping uncontrollably because the rolls she had saved for the blind grandmother were taken away.
Highlights Heidi's deep compassion and the pain of losing her gift for the grandmother.
“'Oh, I want to go home. What will poor Snowhopper do without me? Grandmother is waiting for me every day. Poor Thistlefinch gets blows if Peter gets no cheese, and I must see the sun again when he says good night to the mountains. How the eagle would screech if he saw all the people here in Frankfurt!'”
Heidi cries out that she must return to the Alps, worrying about the goats and grandmother, and longing for the natural beauty of the mountains.
Illustrates Heidi's profound homesickness and her connection to nature and her mountain home.