# Frau Frohmann — Short Fiction character guide

> Frau Frohmann in Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** IV, The Frau Frohmann, the Frau, The Frau

**First appearance:** 0066-why-frau-frohmann-raised-her-prices

## Snapshot

A formidable innkeeper who rules her Alpine household with iron principle, until a quiet decision to raise her prices sets the whole village talking.

## Who they are

Frau Frohmann presides over her inn and her people with a will that brooks no contradiction, proud of the old ways and suspicious of newfangled notions. Her stubbornness is both her strength and her trap: she cannot easily bend, even when bending might serve her better. Watching her defend her position against neighbours, guests, and her own conscience is the quiet drama that gives the story its spine.

## In the story

### [Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/why-frau-frohmann-raised-her-prices)

The protagonist who makes the decision to raise prices at her guesthouse.

### [The Brunnenthal Peacock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/i-the-brunnenthal-peacock)

The central figure, a Tory-like widow who runs the Brunnenthal Peacock with despotic benevolence, resisting change but generous to the poor.

### [II: The Beginning of Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/ii-the-beginning-of-troubles)

Struggles with the decision to raise prices, ultimately rejecting the proposal to preserve her pride and the loyalty of her regular customers.

### [The Question of the Mitgift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/iii-the-question-of-the-mitgift)

Refuses to raise prices at the Peacock, causing tension with Malchen and Fritz.

### [The Frau Returns to the Simplicity of the Old Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/iv-the-frau-returns-to-the-simplicity-of-the-old-days)

Determined to return to old pricing despite causing hardship among neighbors; resists appeals from Suse Krapp and postpones Malchen's dowry discussion.

### [A Zwanziger Is a Zwanziger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/v-a-zwanziger-is-a-zwanziger)

The Frau is distressed by the ingratitude of her neighbors and former employees, who are lured away by higher pay. She reopens her own dairy and struggles with the loss of respect and community support.

### [Hoff the Butcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/vi-hoff-the-butcher)

The Frau humbles herself to visit Hoff, confessing her financial troubles and seeking to restore their business relationship after her failed experiment with the Brixen butcher.

### [VII: And Gold Becomes Cheap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/vii-and-gold-becomes-cheap)

The Frau grapples with the economic necessity of raising prices, resisting change and contemplating retirement.

### [It Doesn't Make Any Difference to Any of Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/viii-it-doesn-t-make-any-difference-to-any-of-them)

Raises prices at the Peacock and anxiously observes the reaction of her guests, ultimately finding that business continues as usual.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/frau_frohmann
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters