XIX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Power and Control

  Mabuse's obsession with dominating the Countess and capturing Wenk alive demonstrates his lust for power and control.

• Obsession and Destruction

  Mabuse's single-minded pursuit of Wenk and his violent treatment of the Countess highlight his destructive obsession.

• Deception and Disguise

  Mabuse uses doubles and false identities to evade Wenk, and the police uniform trick leads to George's capture.

Characters to notice

• Herr von Wenk

  Pursues Mabuse across Germany, obtains permission to go to Berlin, and begins his hunt in the city.

• Dr. Mabuse

  Flees with the Countess, uses doubles to mislead Wenk, decides to capture Wenk alive, and flies to Berlin obsessed with revenge.

• Countess Told

  Rescued by Mabuse, she is dominated and humiliated, longing for death but unable to escape his power.

• Spoerri

  Assists Mabuse in Switzerland, procures a car and later an aeroplane, and endures Mabuse's demands for brandy.

• George Strümpfli

  Remains as a victim of the pursuers, taken while Mabuse escapes.

• Dr. Ebenhügel

  Answers the telephone in Zürich when Mabuse calls to contact Spoerri.

Key passages

• “The whole country already rang with reports of the existence and operations of the robber-king. Dr. Mabuse, the gambler! It was like a ballad, expressing the devilry and defiance of all who offered resistance to existing law and order, and it spread from place to place.”

  News of Mabuse's criminal exploits spread across the country like a folk song, celebrating his defiance of law and order.

  Highlights Mabuse's legendary status and the public's fascination with his rebellion.

• “Mabuse saw him arrive at the railway-station, and an hour later he knew where he was staying. At last he had him within reach, in the place where he desired to accomplish his scheme of revenge and towards which he had been working, for Mabuse in reality had never left Berlin.”

  Mabuse observed Wenk's arrival and quickly learned his location, having never actually left Berlin—his doubles had misled Wenk.

  Reveals Mabuse's strategic deception and his focus on Berlin as the stage for his revenge.

• “He snatched her from the bed, and as he seized her, lifted her high in the air as if he were going to dash her in pieces against the wall like rotting timber. At that moment he hated her; she was the embodiment of all his weaknesses.”

  In a fit of rage, Mabuse lifted the Countess as if to smash her against the wall, seeing her as the symbol of his own vulnerabilities.

  Illustrates Mabuse's violent possessiveness and his internal conflict over his dependence on her.