# Grandmother — Heidi character guide

> Grandmother in Heidi by Johanna Spyri.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0004-iv-in-the-grandmother-s-hut

## Snapshot

Peter's blind grandmother, whose dark hut on the mountain becomes the emotional center of Heidi's world and the measure of her compassion.

## Who they are

Old, blind, and poor, she lives with Peter and his mother and survives on hard black bread, yet her gratitude when Heidi returns with soft white rolls is overwhelming. She clings to Heidi's voice and hair as her greatest earthly blessing and begs the Alm-Uncle never to take the child away before she dies. Her need gives Heidi's homesickness its moral weight and later draws the grandfather back into the village's human ties.

## Relationships

### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi)

_family_

Grandmother is Heidi's kind and wise maternal figure, who teaches her about faith and love.

### [Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandfather)

_family_

Grandfather and Grandmother are elderly in-laws who share a quiet, respectful bond within the family.

### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi)

_family_

Grandmother is Heidi's kind and wise maternal figure, who teaches her about faith and love.

### [Heidi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/heidi)

_family_

Grandmother is Heidi's kind and wise maternal figure, who teaches her about faith and love.

### [Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandfather)

_family_

Grandfather and Grandmother are elderly in-laws who share a quiet, respectful bond within the family.

### [Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandfather)

_family_

Grandfather and Grandmother are elderly in-laws who share a quiet, respectful bond within the family.

## 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)

Peter's blind grandmother, whom Heidi visits and comforts.

### [In the Grandmother’s Hut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/iv-in-the-grandmother-s-hut)

Blind and living in a dilapidated hut, she is comforted by Heidi's visit and later overjoyed when the grandfather repairs her home.

### [Two Visitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/v-two-visitors)

Blind and elderly, she desperately calls for Heidi not to be taken and later laments the loss of the child's presence.

### [VIII: Great Disturbances in the Sesemann House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/viii-great-disturbances-in-the-sesemann-house)

The blind grandmother for whom Heidi hoards rolls, mentioned in Heidi's laments.

### [Up the Alp on a Summer Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xiii-up-the-alp-on-a-summer-evening)

Blind grandmother is visited by Heidi, who brings her rolls and brings her great joy.

### [XIV: On Sunday When the Church Bells Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xiv-on-sunday-when-the-church-bells-ring)

Receives Heidi's visit, enjoys the rolls, is moved by Heidi's reading, and expresses gratitude and joy.

### [A Guest on the Alp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xvi-a-guest-on-the-alp)

The blind grandmother receives a shawl and cakes from Frankfurt, delighting in the warm wrap.

### [Winter in the Village](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xviii-winter-in-the-village)

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

### [Winter Still Continues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xix-winter-still-continues)

Listens to Peter's reading but longs for Heidi's more expressive recitation of hymns.

### [News from Distant Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xx-news-from-distant-friends)

Anxious about Clara's visit, she finds comfort in Heidi reading hymns and resolves to be brave.

### [Parting to Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/chapters/xxiii-parting-to-meet-again)

The blind grandmother initially fears Heidi will be taken, but rejoices when told Heidi will stay; she receives the bed and warm covers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters/grandmother
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heidi_se/characters