The Beaver Coat: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Beaver Coat" is a narrative that explores themes of deception, morality, and social justice through its major characters. At the center of the story is Frau Wolff, a washerwoman with a dual identity as a clever thief, who orchestrates the stealing of items from her daughter's employer, Krüger. She skillfully manipulates her reputation for honesty, leading to a situation where the innocent are framed as guilty while she maintains her facade of respectability. Her husband, Julius Wolff, supports her activities under the guise of legitimate work, while their daughters, Leontine and Udelheid, become unwitting participants in the family's schemes. Krüger, the victim of their theft, represents the well-to-do who fall prey to the cunning schemes of those they trust. The character of von Wehrhahn, the justice of the peace, highlights the failures of the legal system, as he is more focused on personal grievances than on maintaining justice. Additionally, Doctor Fleischer serves as a foil to von Wehrhahn, representing the struggle for truth in a flawed system. The narrative intricately weaves the lives of these characters, revealing the complexities of their motivations and the societal dynamics at play.
The Beaver Coat: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Gerhart Hauptmann
First published: Der Biberpelz, 1893 (English translation, 1912)
Genre: Play
Locale: the outskirts of Berlin
Plot: Satire
Time: Nineteenth century
Frau Wolff, a washerwoman and the ringleader of a gang of dealers in stolen goods. Protected by her reputation as an honest woman, she sets about stealing from her daughter's employer, Krüger, a load of wood and a beaver coat for delivery to the fence, Wulkow. By virtue of her own wit, the false testimony of other witnesses, and the incompetence of the justice of the peace, von Wehrhahn, the innocent in the affair are made to appear guilty, and Frau Wolff emerges as the soul of honor.
Julius Wolff, Frau Wolff's husband, a shipwright and ferry captain who uses his nautical activities as a front for his real business in life, the illegal snaring of game.
Leontine (LAY-ohn-tee-neh), the elder daughter of Julius and Frau Wolff. She is hired out to Krüger but returns home complaining that he sends her after wood late at night. Her flight is used by Frau Wolff as an opportunity to steal the wood.
Udelheid (OO-dehl-hid), Julius and Frau Wolff's younger daughter. She is used by her family as a verifier of invented evidence.
Wulkow (VOOL-koh), a boatman and a receiver of stolen goods. When he makes known his desire for a fur, his request is cheerfully filled by Frau Wolff, who delivers to him, for a price, Krüger's beaver coat.
Krüger (KREW-gur), Leontine's well-to-do employer, who is relieved by her thieving family of his load of wood and his beaver coat.
Von Wehrhahn (VAYR-hahn), the justice of the peace. He is so taken up with rigging evidence against Dr. Fleischer for a supposed slight that he cannot see to it that justice is done in his court.
Doctor Fleischer (FLI-shur), Krüger's friend, a liberal democrat who incurs the wrath of von Wehrhahn and, unwittingly, blocks the path of justice.
Motes, an informer and giver of false evidence.