Mr. Britling Sees It Through · Character

Herr Heinrich

A pink-faced, spectacle-adjusting German tutor whose earnest decency becomes Mr. Britling's stubborn proof that the enemy is human.

supporting

Also known as Heinrich, young Heinrich, old Heinrich

First appearance: § 1

As a supporting figure in Mr. Britling Sees It Through, Herr Heinrich is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The German tutor, seen following the two small boys who are wheeling bicycles.

In the story§ 11Open this moment free

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Heinrich is the young German who lodged with the Britlings before the war, a horse-dealer's son with a violin and an absurdly pampered squirrel on his shoulder. Once fighting begins he writes cheerful postcards from Holland, Courtrai, and the Carpathians, insisting the war never be discussed, until the letters abruptly stop. For Mr. Britling he becomes the living counter-argument to atrocity propaganda, a private advocate for an entire people at the tribunal of one Englishman's mind.

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Character Web

25 connections

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Direck’s int…

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In the story

Herr Heinrich appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

§ 11
The German tutor, seen following the two small boys who are wheeling bicycles.
II: Mr. Britling Continues His Exposition
German student of philology; methodical, meticulous, and puzzled by English informality; discusses his studies and the lack of fixed social positions in England.
§ 7
Plays badminton, then strolls with Mr. Direck, expressing confusion about English informality and contrasting it with German order.
§ 9
Dances formally in a cotton Cossack costume, commenting on German propriety.
§ 10
The German guest, described as methodical and distrustful, always asking questions and documenting answers. He contrasts sharply with Teddy's carefree nature.
§ 1
The German tutor, seen across the lawn talking profoundly with Hugh.
§ 6
Asks whether the event will affect European politics and expresses anxiety about his holiday plans.
V: The Coming of the Day
Anxious about the possibility of war between Austria and Serbia; distraught over the loss of his pet squirrel Bill.
§ 1
Asks Mr. Britling about the likelihood of war between Austria and Serbia and its potential consequences for his service in Germany.
§ 2
Deeply attached to his pet squirrel Billy; distraught when Billy goes missing; eventually reunited with the squirrel.
§ 4
After some doubt, he sends in his application and deposit for the Esperanto Conference at Boulogne.
§ 8
Expresses nostalgia about Germany, noting that Direck will see it before he does.
Book II: Matching’s Easy at War
A German tutor whose loyalties are tested by the war.
§ 8
Mentioned as absent; his past presence and skat games are recalled with nostalgia.
Malignity
A young German friend of Mr. Britling, now a transport driver in the German army; his letters cease, causing Mr. Britling concern and serving as a human counterpoint to anti-German sentiment.
§ 4
Young Prussian who serves as a human counterpoint to anti-German sentiment; his letters describe his military service and then cease.
§ 6
Herr Heinrich is mentioned indirectly through the context of German soldiers and the Kaiser's satisfaction, but does not appear directly in this chapter.
§ 3
Referenced as having a confidential friend at Breslau to whom he wrote about his soul.
§ 14
Mentioned in Hugh's memory of pre-war life and the rose chart; Hugh wonders if he shot Heinrich.
II: Mr. Britling Writes Until Sunrise
Reported dead as a wounded prisoner in Russia. Mr. Britling recalls his gentle nature, his love of indexing, his ambition to perfect an international language, and his attempts to connect with the English household.
§ 3
Recalled through vivid memories; his death as a wounded prisoner in Russia is reported.
§ 4
The young German guest who has been killed; Mr. Britling is sending his belongings back to his parents.
§ 5
The intended recipient of Mr. Britling's letter, representing the grieving German parents and the German nation.
§ 9
Referenced as 'young Heinrich' living in Mr. Britling's spiritual experience, representing the German counterpart in the shared human struggle.

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See Herr Heinrich in § 11