# Aunt Rikchen — The Breaking of the Storm character guide

> Aunt Rikchen in The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Rikchen, good Aunt Rikchen

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

A kindly older relative of the Schmidt family.

## Relationships

### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt)

_family_

Aunt Rikchen is Reinhold's warm, affectionate aunt who dotes on him and provides familial comfort.

### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt)

_family_

Aunt Rikchen is Reinhold's warm, affectionate aunt who dotes on him and provides familial comfort.

### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt)

_family_

Aunt Rikchen is Reinhold's warm, affectionate aunt who dotes on him and provides familial comfort.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii)

Welcomes Reinhold warmly with tears and embraces, but is scolded by Uncle Ernst for being late to supper.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as present but largely silent, with Uncle Ernst frequently interrupting her.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv)

Asks about the monument; warns the sculptor with a glance when the Werbens are mentioned.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v)

Knits nervously while complaining about Uncle Ernst's behavior and defending Philip Schmidt, showing her emotional and protective nature.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix)

Frightened by the factory bell and led back inside by Reinhold.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv)

Left alone again, she expresses distress over household troubles, labor unrest, and her brother's avoidance of her company.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi)

Aunt Rikchen questions Grollmann about the master's unusual behavior and the morning's events.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix)

Aunt Rikchen befriends Meta in the studio and is described as a good-hearted but sharp-eyed old lady.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii)

Caring for Cilli's father while Cilli is away.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv)

Takes charge of the funeral arrangements with composure, struggles with emotion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/aunt_rikchen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters