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John: You think that I should do what you wish, even if it seems wrong to me? Vockerat: You may be sure that I'll not advise you to do anything wrong. I'm sorry that it should be necessary to say this to you. . . to remind you. . .how we brought you up--not without toil and trouble and many a sleepless night. . . we did it all willingly, gladly. John: Yes, father, and I am grateful to you for it. Vockerat: So you say, but these are words, and I want to see deeds, deeds. Be a good, a moral man, and an obedient son--that is real gratitude. •••••••••••••
John: Your love has been my destruction. Vockerat: I don't recognize you, John--I can't understand you. John: You are right there, father. None of you ever did or ever will understand me.[1]
Due to the obviously strained relationship between Johannes and his parents, Anna decides to leave Johannes' home earlier than planned. The only feeling left in Johannes' heart after Anna leaves is that of disgust for life. Johannes can no longer face life and in despair drowns himself.
From the above outline of Einsame Menschen it became clear to us that the development of the whole story verifies this theme. Therefore, we conclude that the theme of Einsame Menschen is "the contrast and tension between the natural and the unnatural, with a strong implication that nature is best, or at least that it is preferable to follow nature." Now, let us proceed to the next step comparing and evaluating to what extent Katai adopted the prevailing theme of Hauptmann's Einsame Menschen in his Futon.
- ↑ Hauptmann, Einsame Menschen, Act V, pp. 161–64.
