Bluebeard: Analysis of Major Characters
"Bluebeard: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate dynamics and complexities of the characters surrounding Felix Theodor Schaad, a Zurich physician acquitted of his sixth wife, Rosalinde Zogg's murder. The narrative unfolds as Schaad grapples with the implications of the trial and his relationships with women, reflecting a broader commentary on male-female interactions in contemporary society. Schaad, depicted as a multifaceted and troubled individual, faces accusations of jealousy and violence, while his philanthropic nature complicates perceptions of his character.
Rosalinde Zogg is portrayed as a woman with a troubled past, navigating her life as a call girl after her divorce from Schaad. The testimonies of various witnesses, including Schaad's former wives and friends, reveal differing perspectives on his personality and behavior, often highlighting themes of possessiveness, disappointment, and the complexities of love. Each character contributes to the narrative's tension, with insights into their relationships with Schaad and each other, offering a rich exploration of emotional and psychological landscapes. The overarching questions of guilt, loyalty, and the nature of interpersonal connections provoke thought and discussion, making the analysis relevant to those interested in character studies and psychological narratives.
Bluebeard: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Max Frisch
First published: Blaubart, 1982 (English translation, 1983)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The environs of Zurich, Switzerland
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The late twentieth century
Felix Theodor Schaad (FAY-lihks TAY-oh-dohr shat), a Zurich physician. Schaad is a fifty-four-year-old internist who is accused of brutally murdering his sixth wife, Rosalinde Zogg, by suffocating her and strangling her with his tie. The novel begins three weeks after Schaad has been acquitted of the crime and consists of his reliving the hearing. At the time of the murder, he is divorced from Zogg and is married to his seventh wife, Jutta. The question of whether Schaad is pathologically jealous and capable of violence toward women is continually raised by the prosecuting attorney, but answers are inconclusive. Schaad's philanthropy and public service are pointed out. The doctor emerges as a complex and tormented individual who is perplexed by male-female relationships, particularly in their modern incarnations. After the acquittal, Schaad returns to his medical practice but is unsuccessful in resuming his former life. He tries drink, travel, and billiards, and finally returns to the town where he was born, confesses to the murder, and drives his car into a tree. He recovers from the accident and is told that his confession is false because the murderer, a Greek student named Nikos Grammaticos, has been found and taken into custody.
Rosalinde Zogg (ROH-zah-lihn-deh tsohk), Schaad's sixth wife. After her divorce from Schaad, Rosalinde is supporting herself as a call girl, receiving visitors in her elegant and tastefully furnished apartment. Books scattered about the apartment suggest that she may be intellectually inclined. Schaad believes her to lack self-confidence, because she did not fulfill the expectations her father, a major, had for her. She was raped by an air force captain, and her first marriage occurred when she was nineteen years old.
The prosecuting attorney, about whom no descriptions of personality or references to character traits are provided. The prosecuting attorney is mentally revived by Schaad as the interrogator of witnesses and Schaad during his trial for the murder of Rosalinde.
Herr Pfeifer (PFI-fehr), a friend of Schaad and a witness. Herr Pfeifer states that he once heard Schaad say that he could strangle Rosalinde. Schaad helped Pfeifer complete his studies, supporting him with the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars.
The son, a witness. The son explains that he believes his father to be egocentric but that he is not a murderer.
Lilian Schaad, formerly Habersack, a nursery school teacher. Lilian is the mother of Schaad's son. She testifies that Schaad kept notebooks, often writing down his thoughts after marital squabbles. She and all of Schaad's other former wives deny that Schaad was ever violent toward them.
Gisela Schaad (GEE-zeh-lah), formerly Stamm, a medical assistant and one of Schaad's wives. Gisela testifies that she and Schaad were closer before their marriage, while Schaad was still married to someone else, than afterward.
Corinne Schaad, formerly Vogel, one of Schaad's wives. Corinne complains that Schaad kept her from sleeping with his incessant intellectual lecturing.
Andrea Schaad, formerly Padrutt, one of Schaad's wives. She states that Schaad is affectionate but possessive, a trait that led to their divorce. While married to Schaad, Andrea conducted an affair with a married man.
Major Zogg, Rosalinde's father and a witness at Schaad's trial. Zogg testifies that Schaad and Rosalinde wished to remain friends after the divorce.
Herr Zogg, Rosalinde's brother. Zogg often saw Rosalinde with eyes red from weeping.
Herr Rossi, a witness. Schaad saved Rossi, who intended to commit suicide.
Herr Schwander (SHVAHN-dehr), Rosalinde's former husband and a witness. Schwander was a friend of Schaad and was married to Rosalinde when she and Schaad were having an affair.
Helene Mathilde Jetzer (heh-LEH-neh mah-TIHL-deh YEHT-sehr), formerly Knuchel, the first wife of Schaad and a witness. Helene appears to be a mature woman who believes the cause of her divorce from Schaad to be mutual disappointment in the marriage. She is the only one of Schaad's former wives to whom he responds with a gesture indicating good will.
Herr Neuenburger (NOY-ehn-bewr-gehr), a friend of Schaad and a witness. Neuenburger, who has known Schaad for at least thirty years, makes derogatory remarks about his friend's, and all physicians', intellectual capacities. He enjoys drinking wine with Schaad.
Jutta Schaad (YEW-tah), Schaad's seventh and present wife and a witness. Jutta is a thirty-six-year-old film editor who does not live with her husband because she had promised herself never again to live with a man. Their marriage ends after Schaad's acquittal, when she announces that she intends to leave him for the cameraman with whom she has been workinginKenya.