# Grandfather — Heidi character guide > Grandfather in Heidi by Johanna Spyri. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alm-Uncle **First appearance:** 0001-i-going-up-to-the-alm-uncle ## Snapshot The fierce, reclusive Alm-Uncle, who takes in his orphaned granddaughter and slowly thaws from a man at war with God and neighbors into one at peace. ## Who they are Villagers fear the old man on the mountain, who has withdrawn from church, company, and any explanation of his past, and he initially resents being handed a child to raise. Heidi's trust and cheerfulness work on him until he returns to the village, greets the parson, and mends the grandmother's hut. His transformation is the book's moral spine: a story about how love for one small person can restore a soul to community. ## Relationships ### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi) _family_ Grandfather is Heidi's loving and protective guardian, who initially is gruff but becomes deeply devoted to her. ### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/peter) _social_ Grandfather is a stern but tolerant authority figure to Peter, who works as his goatherd. ### [Clara Sesemann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/clara_sesemann) _friendship_ Grandfather becomes a gentle caretaker and mentor to Clara during her stay in the Alps, helping her walk again. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Grandfather and Grandmother are elderly in-laws who share a quiet, respectful bond within the family. ### [Deta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/deta) _family_ Deta and Grandfather have a strained family relationship, with Deta resenting his reclusive nature and leaving Heidi with him. ### [Grandmama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandmama) _social_ Grandfather and Grandmama meet as respectful elders from different worlds, sharing a mutual appreciation for Heidi. ### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi) _family_ Grandfather is Heidi's loving and protective guardian, who initially is gruff but becomes deeply devoted to her. ### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi) _family_ Grandfather is Heidi's loving and protective guardian, who initially is gruff but becomes deeply devoted to her. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Grandfather and Grandmother are elderly in-laws who share a quiet, respectful bond within the family. ### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/peter) _social_ Grandfather is a stern but tolerant authority figure to Peter, who works as his goatherd. ### [Clara Sesemann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/clara_sesemann) _friendship_ Grandfather becomes a gentle caretaker and mentor to Clara during her stay in the Alps, helping her walk again. ### [Deta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/deta) _family_ Deta and Grandfather have a strained family relationship, with Deta resenting his reclusive nature and leaving Heidi with him. ## In the story ### [Part I: Heidi’s Years of Learning and Travel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/part-i-heidi-s-years-of-learning-and-travel) The reclusive Alm-Uncle who reluctantly takes in Heidi. ### [With the Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/ii-with-the-grandfather) Observes Heidi's intelligence, makes her a high chair, repairs the hut, and provides for her needs with gruff care. ### [On the Pasture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/iii-on-the-pasture) Prepares Heidi for the day, gives provisions to Peter, and later explains the sunset and eagle's cry to Heidi. ### [In the Grandmother’s Hut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/iv-in-the-grandmother-s-hut) Cares for Heidi, takes her down the mountain on a sled, and later repairs the grandmother's hut as promised. ### [Two Visitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/v-two-visitors) Refuses to send Heidi to school, arguing the distance and weather; angrily sends Heidi away with Deta after a heated argument. ### [Up the Alp on a Summer Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xiii-up-the-alp-on-a-summer-evening) Receives Heidi with emotion, reads the letter from Mr. Sesemann, and prepares her bed. ### [XIV: On Sunday When the Church Bells Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xiv-on-sunday-when-the-church-bells-ring) Cleans the cottage, attends church in his Sunday coat, reconciles with the pastor and villagers, and agrees to spend winter in the village. ### [Part II: Heidi Makes Use of Her Experience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/part-ii-heidi-makes-use-of-her-experience) Grandfather observes Heidi's changes and supports her as she integrates her experiences. ### [A Guest on the Alp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xvi-a-guest-on-the-alp) The grandfather welcomes the doctor, prepares a meal, and suggests he stay in the village. He accompanies Heidi to deliver gifts to Peter's family. ### [Retaliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xvii-retaliation) The grandfather welcomes the doctor warmly, shares his knowledge of herbs and nature, and is saddened by the doctor's departure. ### [Winter in the Village](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xviii-winter-in-the-village) Advises Heidi to wait for the snow to freeze before visiting; teaches Peter a lesson about school attendance. ### [Winter Still Continues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xix-winter-still-continues) Sits in the room during lessons, often smiling, and invites Peter to supper as a reward. ### [News from Distant Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xx-news-from-distant-friends) Welcomes the guests with quiet care, lifts Clara into her chair, and offers to nurse her during her stay. ### [Of Further Events on the Alp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xxi-of-further-events-on-the-alp) The grandfather cares for Clara, encourages her to stand, and arranges for the goats to produce rich milk. ### [Something Unexpected Happens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xxii-something-unexpected-happens) The grandfather carries Clara up the mountain and later supports her walking. ### [Parting to Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xxiii-parting-to-meet-again) The Alm-Uncle's heart is free of care after Mr. Sesemann and the doctor promise to care for Heidi; he becomes closer friends with the doctor. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandfather - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters