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PARTISAN REVIEW
existentialism, nevertheless I cannot regard this development as de–
sirable; I prefer quiet women, who move decorously to the rhythm
of the waltz, know how to recite agreeable verses and whose nour–
ishment is not exclusively sour pickles and goulash seasoned with
paprika. My brother-in-law Carl's plans to emigrate seem on the
point of becoming a reality: he has found a country, not far from
the equator, which seems to answer his requirements, and Lucie is
full of enthusiasm;
in
this country people wear clothes not unlike
hers, they love sharp spices and they dance to those rhythms without
which she maintains life is no longer possible for her. It is a little
shocking that these two do not plan to obey the command "Abide
in the land I have given you," but on the other hand I can under–
stand their desire to flee.
Things are worse with Johannes. Unfortunately the evil rumor
has proved true: he has become a Communist. He has broken off
all relations with the family, pays no attention to anything and
takes part in the evening celebration only
in
the person of
his
double. His eyes have taken on a fanatical expression, he makes public
appearances behaving like a dervish at party meetings, neglects his
practice and writes furious articles in the appropriate journals.
Strangely enough he now sees more of Franz, who is vainly trying
to convert him-and vice versa. Despite all their spiritual estrange–
ment, they seem personally to have grown somewhat closer.
Franz I have not seen in a long time, but I have had news of
him. He is said to have fallen into a profound depression, to spend
his time in dim churches, and I believe that his piety can be fairly
described as exaggerated. Mter the family misfortunes began he
started to neglect his calling, and recently I saw on the wall of a
ruined house a faded poster saying: "Last Battle of our Veteran
Lenz against Lecoq. Lenz is Hanging up the Gloves." The date on
the poster was March, and now we are well into August. Franz is
said to have fallen on bad times. I believe he finds himself in a
situation which has never before occurred in our family: he is poor.
Fortunately he has remained single, and so the social consequences
of his irresponsible piety harm only
him.
He has tried with amazing
perseverance to have a guardian appointed for Lucie's children be–
cause he considers they are endangered by the daily celebration.
But his efforts have remained fruitless; thank God, the children of
