Green Henry: Analysis of Major Characters
"Green Henry: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the rich tapestry of relationships and character development surrounding Heinrich Lee, the protagonist who aspires to be a painter. The narrative follows Heinrich's journey from childhood adversity, marked by the early loss of his father, through his struggles in the art world in Switzerland and Munich, to eventual success and recognition. Central to the story is Frau Lee, Heinrich's devoted mother, whose selfless sacrifices for her son's career go unappreciated until her death.
Heinrich's youthful love, Anna, is a poignant figure whose early demise deeply affects him. The narrative also introduces Judith, a widow with deep feelings for Heinrich, who struggles with his loyalty to Anna's memory. Other influential characters include Roemer, Heinrich's unstable mentor, and Schmalhoefer, a secondhand dealer whose support proves pivotal in Heinrich's artistic journey. The eventual romance with Dorothea, the adopted daughter of his benefactor Count Dietrich zu W…berg, adds complexity to Heinrich's relational dynamics. The interplay of aspiration, love, loss, and sacrifice creates a nuanced exploration of the human experience within the artistic realm.
Green Henry: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Gottfried Keller
First published: Der grüne Heinrich, 1854–1855; revised, 1879–1880 (English translation, 1960)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Switzerland and Bavaria
Plot: Love
Time: Mid-nineteenth century
Heinrich Lee (HIN-rihkh), a painter. Losing his father in early childhood and, later, finding it impossible to finish his studies, he sets out to fulfill his dreams of becoming a painter. Studying in Switzerland and then in Munich, and after many discouragements and hardships, he becomes a successful artist and a moderately rich man. He returns to his native town, is elected a county official, and, finally, writes the story of his life.
Frau Lee, Heinrich Lee's devoted, self-sacrificing mother. Having used her slender inheritance to further her son's career, she is all but forgotten by the successful Heinrich and dies just as he finally returns home.
Anna (AH-nah), Heinrich Lee's frail cousin and first love, who dies as a young girl.
Judith (YEW-diht), a widow who loves Heinrich Lee. When Heinrich tells her he wishes to be faithful to Anna's memory, she emigrates to America, but she returns in Heinrich's later years to be near him.
Roemer (REH-mehr), an unstable painter who is Heinrich Lee's teacher.
Ericson and Lys (lees), painters who introduce Heinrich Lee to favorable contacts in the artistic world of Munich.
Schmalhoefer (SHMAHL-heh-fehr), a secondhand dealer who sells some of the indigent Heinrich Lee's pictures and offers him a job as a flagpole painter. The young man accepts the work and so impresses his employer with his willingness that Schmalhoefer later leaves him a considerable sum of money in his will.
CountDietrichzuW…berg (DEE-trihkh), the purchaser of Heinrich Lee's paintings and the sponsor of his successful exhibit.
Dorothea (doh-roh-TAY-ah), Count W… berg's adopted daughter, who is loved by Heinrich Lee. Doubting his love because he delays so long in speaking of it, she marries another.