Is Heidi really happier in the mountains? A mixed-methods investigation of spatial affect in fiction

Abstract

Heidi, a quintessential Swiss fictional character, has left an enduring imprint on global culture, surpassing the confines of mere literature to become a cultural phenomenon. Our study delves into the timeless allure of Spyri’s novel by examining its portrayal of spatial and emotional dimensions. Using a mixed-method approach that combines computational methods and human annotations, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between emotional content and landscape representation in Heidi , emphasizing the narrative’s reverential treatment of nature’s influence and reaffirming the novel’s dichotomous depiction of nature versus urbanity. Our investigation also exposes, however, disparities between computational sentiment analysis and human interpretations, underscoring some of the limitations of lexicon-based sentiment analysis methods. By advocating for a holistic approach that amalgamates computational techniques with human insights, we advocate for a nuanced understanding of sentiment analysis in literary works, one that acknowledges the subtleties and complexities woven into the narrative. We call for continued exploration to refine sentiment lexicons, explore sentiment variation across diverse literary genres and cultural contexts, and delve deeper into the interplay between sentiment and fictional space.