The Adventurous Simplicissimus · Chapter
Of the Homecoming and Departure of This Worshipful Student, and How He Sought to Obtain Advancement in the Wars explained
Oliver returns home to his father, who is disappointed in his son's spoiled and quarrelsome nature.
What happens
Oliver returns home to his father, who is disappointed in his son's spoiled and quarrelsome nature. After a heated argument, Oliver steals a horse from his father's farm and rides to Cologne, where he sells it and joins a band of thieves. When one of his companions is publicly punished, Oliver enlists as a soldier. His father tries to buy him out, but Oliver refuses, and the colonel, learning of his wealth, sets a high price. Oliver becomes the colonel's writer and aspires to rise in rank, but when young Herzbruder is favored for a secretary position, Oliver plots against him. With the Provost's advice, Oliver steals a cup and frames Herzbruder, leading to Herzbruder's dismissal.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Oliver pretends to be a reformed man while plotting against Herzbruder, and the Provost advises a deceitful scheme to frame Herzbruder.
Greed and Money
Oliver's desire for promotion and wealth drives him to steal, enlist, and conspire against Herzbruder.
Folly and Wisdom
Oliver's father laments his son's foolishness, and Oliver's own schemes show a lack of wisdom, leading to moral compromise.
Characters to notice
- Oliver
Narrates his homecoming, quarrel with his father, theft of a horse, enlistment, and plot against Herzbruder.
- Ulrich Herzbruder
Young Herzbruder is favored by the colonel and is the target of Oliver's plot, leading to his dismissal.
- The Provost Marshal
The Provost advises Oliver to frame Herzbruder by stealing a cup and giving it to him.
Key passages
“But when my father had me safely home, he found I was in very truth spoiled. I had proved no worshipful dominie as he had hoped, but a quarreller and a braggart, that imagined he knew everything.”
When I returned home, my father realized I was thoroughly corrupted—not the respectable scholar he had hoped for, but a quarrelsome braggart who thought he knew everything.
Oliver's father's disappointment upon seeing his son's true character.
“So hardly was I warm at home when he said to me, ‘Hearken, Oliver, I do see thine asses’ ears a-growing fast: thou beest a useless cumberer of the ground, a rogue that will never be worth aught...’”
No sooner had I settled in than he told me, 'Listen, Oliver, I see your foolishness growing; you are a useless burden, a rogue who will never amount to anything.'
Oliver's father scolds him harshly for his behavior.
“Yet because young Herzbruder was beloved by our colonel and was preferred to me, I purposed to have him out of the way, specially because I was sure the colonel would give him the secretary’s place.”
But because young Herzbruder was the colonel's favorite and was chosen over me, I decided to eliminate him, especially since I was certain the colonel would appoint him as secretary.
Oliver's jealousy and plan to remove Herzbruder from his path.