In the boxing match highlighted towards the end of the book, one can see how desperately the Germans clung to their illusions. It is only after Bernard’s death that they realized how detrimental their pacifism was. The death threats that came to them through the mail were all dismissed. For instance, Bernard (the head of the Landauers family) refused to take part in Leftist campaigns, yet this could have prevented the senseless killings that followed thereafter. Many Jews had the opportunity of confronting the wrongs that were instated against them earlier on, but they chose to remain passive. The Doctor’s ability to shrug off these facts was indicative of the state of ignorance that the people in Berlin had prior to the war (Isherwood 105). Communism should have been so obvious to him, given that his close friend Peter held those ideals. Additionally, the doctor believes that Communists do not exist. Peter strongly despises anti-Semitists, yet he and the doctor are still friends. In the novella “On the Reuben Island,” the author mentions a Nazi doctor who befriends Peter. They preferred to bury themselves in their private lives rather than know and question such ill occurrences. If they were aware of the impending danger, they should not have turned a blind eye to the National Socialist event. They are at a loss for words on what could have led to the major historical event. Fraulein does or says nothing about it.Ī hint of this state of ignorance and naiveté can also be seen when the narrator and Sally Bowles spot a grand parade. Her contentment with these extreme views is disturbing to the reader because one can see signs of danger. She simply dismisses this as something akin to a comedy to her, it is not a serious threat to the existence of the people around her. Furthermore, she never says anything about the Nazis and their strong anti-Semitic arguments. This state of affairs points to the naivety of the landlady. It does not make sense when she gets angry about a teapot, but never minds when her guests ruin her property or use it for immoral acts like prostitution.

She does not object to anything, even when people deliberately wrong her. In the first novella, i.e., ‘A Berlin diary,’ the kind landlady –Fraulein Shroeder – seems to have her priorities mixed up.

Using instances from the novellas, discuss how the author successfully created such characters.

The characters in the novel appear to be oblivious of the gathering storm and are somehow naïve about their world.

All these actions are indicative of the state of disarray and chaos that was to intensity in the Nazi war (Isherwood 300). The Nazis started to collect donations from people, and they arrested and punished them for some of the most juvenile deeds. At one point, a communist was blinded by the Nazis. The last novella was the most illustrative of this impending war.

Goodbye to berlin isherwood