Influence of Family in Shaping a Person's Character Through the Novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri

This article focusses on the main character, Heidi, and analyses the family values that shaped her character, which is portrayed in the book. It reveals the family values in Heidi which include a sense of intimacy, generosity, values, customs, estimation and thirst for knowledge, connection, conversation, and duty. These values have a significant impact on Heidi's personality, making her open minded, faithful, optimistic, sacred, sympathetic, and enthusiastic. Her family's influence and values are creating an impact on her character and behaviour. Kindness, respect, empathy, sympathy, communication, sharing, caring etc. are the qualities that she has acquired through family relations. Heidi is a kind-hearted girl, who not only considers people as a part of her family, but also animals, especially goats. This story tells about Heidi's thirst, in order to found out a peaceful family atmosphere and to imbibe the value of family in one's life. Having an intention to have a family value means to have generous behaviour, thinking, affection, courtesy, and the attitude of treating others with respect and generosity. This novel has a lighthearted ambience, presenting a pleasant and feel-good atmosphere. This study reveals the influence of family on Heidi's life and also reveals how it is creating a change in one's character. Keywords: Heidi, Family, character, behaviour, nature, imbibe, generosity