XI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Nobility

  Reinhold's internal monologue reveals his acute awareness of class barriers between himself and Elsa, and his discomfort with aristocratic society.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Reinhold contemplates giving up his ambitions to stay near Elsa, but ultimately resolves to pursue a worthy purpose instead of unattainable love.

• Ambition and Speculation

  Reinhold's decision to focus on practical reforms and the President's confidential memorial highlight themes of professional ambition and reform.

Characters to notice

• Reinhold Schmidt

  Struggles with his feelings for Elsa and his social position; decides to leave early and accepts President von Sanden's confidential request.

• The General

  Bids Reinhold a brief farewell, saying 'Au revoir in Berlin, Lieutenant Schmidt!'

• Herr von Strummin

  Proposes a game of whist and comments that the ladies will be inconsolable at Reinhold's departure.

• Count Golm

  Offers Reinhold a carriage for his journey, which is politely declined.

• President von Sanden

  Privately meets Reinhold, expresses interest in him, and entrusts him with a memorial on harbor reforms.

• Uncle Ernst

  Mentioned in Reinhold's thoughts as a stubborn old radical who would clash with the General.

Key passages

• “Be honest! Confess to yourself that it is to avoid putting a few thousand miles between her and you, to remain in her neighbourhood, to have the possibility of seeing her again, to make a fool of yourself as you have done today.”

  Reinhold admits to himself that his reluctance to leave is driven by his desire to stay near Elsa, even though it is foolish.

  Reinhold's self-criticism about his romantic motives.

• “What good can come of it? This daughter of a general officer, of noble family, would raise her brown eyes with a good deal of astonishment if the very unaristocratic Superintendent of pilots were to venture seriously to lift his eyes to her.”

  Reinhold reflects that Elsa, as a nobleman's daughter, would be shocked if he, a common pilot superintendent, dared to court her.

  Reinhold's awareness of class differences.

• “I have given away my compass. I cannot even find out how I stand. And yet, if but one star appeared, the star of her love, I should know what to do, and would find my way past all rocks and all obstacles!”

  Reinhold feels lost without direction, but believes that if Elsa loved him, he could overcome any difficulty.

  Reinhold's metaphor of navigation for his emotional state.

• “He would take it as a sign from heaven, as a confirmation of the principle to which he had held as long as he could remember—not with childish self-will to strive after the unattainable, but on a really worthy purpose, attainable by courage and strength and perseverance, to set all his courage, all his strength, and all his perseverance.”

  Reinhold interprets the appearance of Venus as a sign to pursue worthy, attainable goals rather than impossible dreams.

  Reinhold's resolution after seeing the morning star.

• “I must begin with a confession. It is my habit, nourished and perhaps justified by a long official career, to observe a certain, often I dare say too great, reserve towards all who for the first time come under my notice. But whenever I have good reason for interesting myself in anyone my interest is full and entire.”

  President von Sanden admits he is usually reserved but has taken a genuine interest in Reinhold.

  The President's explanation for his earlier aloofness.