Short Fiction · Chapter
The Frau Returns to the Simplicity of the Old Days explained
Frau Frohmann attempts to revert to older, lower prices for goods in the Brunnenthal, causing distress among the local women who depend on her custom.
What happens
Frau Frohmann attempts to revert to older, lower prices for goods in the Brunnenthal, causing distress among the local women who depend on her custom. She resists appeals from Suse Krapp and others, insisting on a return to simpler ways despite growing murmurs and a move toward selling in Innsbruck. Meanwhile, her daughter Malchen seeks a decision about her dowry for marriage to Fritz Schlessen, but the Frau postpones the matter. The chapter also notes the arrival of a letter from English guests inquiring about prices, which Peter suggests raising, but the Frau refuses.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Hardship and Charity
The Frau's reduction of prices causes financial strain among the valley women, highlighting the tension between charity and economic necessity.
Family Duty and Sacrifice
Malchen's request for a dowry and the Frau's postponement illustrate the intersection of family duty and economic constraints.
Morality and Hypocrisy
The Frau justifies her price cuts as a return to justice and simplicity, yet her actions cause hardship, raising questions about moral consistency.
Characters to notice
- Frau Frohmann
Determined to return to old pricing despite causing hardship among neighbors; resists appeals from Suse Krapp and postpones Malchen's dowry discussion.
- Malchen
Seeks a decision from her mother about her dowry and marriage to Fritz Schlessen, but is told to wait.
- Fritz Schlessen
Malchen's suitor, who expects a dowry settlement before marriage.
- Suse Krapp
An old woodman's wife who acts as a delegate for the valley women, pleading with the Frau to restore higher prices.
- Peter
The Frau's son, who suggests raising prices for English guests but is overruled.
Key passages
“That going back to simplicity is always so difficult!”
Returning to simpler, older ways is always a challenging process.
Reflects the Frau's central struggle in the chapter.
“There could be no happiness, no real prosperity in the valley, till they had returned to their old ways.”
The Frau believes that true well-being in the valley depends on reverting to traditional practices.
Captures her ideological commitment to the old economy.
“It makes me unhappy when I see the girls making for themselves long petticoats.”
The Frau is distressed by modern fashions among the young women.
Illustrates her broader resistance to change.