Winter in the Village explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Faith and Prayer

  Heidi reads hymns to the grandmother, bringing her comfort and joy; Heidi prays fervently before sleeping after devising a plan to help.

• Compassion and Generosity

  Heidi shows deep concern for the grandmother's discomfort and loneliness, and shares her dinner with Peter.

• Education and Learning

  Heidi eagerly attends school and learns; Peter is admonished to attend school regularly.

Characters to notice

• Heidi

  Visits the grandmother, reads hymns, and worries about her comfort; attends school eagerly and devises a plan to help.

• Peter

  Reluctantly agrees to go to school after the Alm-Uncle's warning; accompanies Heidi to visit his grandmother.

• Grandmother

  Lies in bed due to cold and weakness; finds comfort in Heidi's reading of hymns.

• Grandfather

  Advises Heidi to wait for the snow to freeze before visiting; teaches Peter a lesson about school attendance.

• Brigida

  Mending at the table; informs Heidi that the grandmother is staying in bed due to the cold.

Key passages

• “I think I had rather go to school than get a beating from the uncle.”

  Peter decides that attending school is preferable to being punished by the Alm-Uncle.

  Peter's resolution to go to school after the uncle's warning.

• “When I can hear those blessed songs that you have read to me, it makes me feel as if a light was shining into my heart, giving me the purest joy.”

  The grandmother tells Heidi that the hymns bring light and joy to her heart.

  The grandmother's expression of gratitude for the spiritual comfort Heidi provides.

• “If only poor grandmother could hear those comforting words every day!”

  Heidi wishes the grandmother could hear the hymns daily for comfort.

  Heidi's concern for the grandmother's loneliness and her desire to help.