Page:Tayama Katai and His Novel Entitled Futon (Reece).pdf/99



In the above cross-talk between Johannes and Pastor Kollin, Hauptmann at this early stage brings to light conflicting views on life. Johannes' parents are embarrassed. Käthe tries to cheer her husband but without much success. Johannes regrets the rude manner in which he answered the old pastor. His conscience torments him due to his convictions:

This constant conflict of new and old ways of thinking clouds over Johannes' daily life. In time, his constant grief is transformed into self-pity. The following outburst by Johannes bears out this point:

In the Second Act, Anna Mahr's appreciation of Johannes' work changes his suppressed outlook on life to one of tranquility: