Heidi
Aunt Dete
Heidi's aunt
Heidi's busy aunt, who brings her to the mountain and later takes her to Frankfurt. She believes she is doing the right thing.
Aunt Dete is Heidi's mother's sister and cared for her until she took a fine post in Frankfurt. She is practical, ambitious and always in a hurry, and she tells her friend Barbel that now it is Alm-Uncle's turn to do his duty.
Dete tells herself her plans are for Heidi's good, but they also suit her own. She looks down on the mountain and on country ways, and she is ready to push Heidi into a better life whether Heidi wants it or not.
“I have looked after Tobias and Adelheid's child for four years. Now I have a fine post in Frankfurt, and it is his turn to do his duty!”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Dete delivers five-year-old Heidi to Alm-Uncle and leaves. Later, she comes back in city clothes with news of a mansion in Frankfurt. Alm-Uncle refuses, then says to take Heidi and ruin her, and never come back.
Dete brings Heidi to Frankfurt and hands her to Fräulein Rottenmeier. Her plan costs Heidi her health, but also begins the journey that brings Clara to the mountain.
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