Characters
Frank Friedmaier
Frank Friedmaier stands at the center of this narrative as a complex figure, embodying the roles of idler, robber, and killer. At nineteen, Frank possesses a boyish, short stature and a demeanor that unnerves others and frightens his mother. Born to a former prostitute, now a madam, and an unknown father, Frank navigates his tumultuous environment with an unsettling lack of emotion. Yet beneath this facade, he yearns for stability amidst the chaos of Nazi-occupied Europe. His relationships are marked by a disdain for affection and a simultaneous craving for attention. This is evident in his interactions with his mother, whom he bullies and exploits financially, despite despising the source of their income and his own role in perpetuating it.
Frank's actions are driven by an intense desire for recognition, particularly from Gerhardt Holst, whom he views as a father figure. He resorts to murder as a means of self-assertion, under the influence of the criminal Fred Kromer. In prison, Frank discovers a semblance of the structured life he longs for. There, he is visited by Holst and Sissy Holst. Holst offers a paternal touch, while Sissy expresses enduring love despite Frank's cruelty towards her. This paternal affection and Sissy's love help Frank find contentment, leading to his confession of the murders and acceptance of his impending execution.
To Georges Simenon, Frank is seen not purely as a guilty man on a path of self-destruction but also as a victim of his circumstances. His childhood was marked by deprivation, abandonment to strangers, and ignorance of his father's identity. Initially appearing amoral and contemptuous, he eventually shows signs of compassion. He demonstrates concern for Sissy after her assault, offers financial aid for a friend's sister's medical needs, and earnestly seeks comprehension from Holst, his surrogate father figure. These actions reveal the complexity of a man caught between his destructive tendencies and a latent yearning for understanding and connection.
Lotte Friedmaier
Lotte Friedmaier, Frank's mother, is a former prostitute who now operates a brothel under the guise of a manicure parlor. With her blowsy, reddish-blonde appearance and youthful face, Lotte provides the luxuries scarce during the German occupation. She maintains a transient workforce of young girls, consistently replacing them to cater to the jaded desires of her clientele. Despite the resentment from her neighbors, except the Holsts, Lotte remains devoted to her wayward son. Her life is a paradox of maternal devotion amidst moral compromise, illustrating the blurred lines between love and exploitation in her world.
Gerhardt Holst
Once an esteemed art critic, Gerhardt Holst now works as a streetcar conductor due to the occupation. His frail, aged appearance belies his unwavering integrity and stoicism. Living next to Lotte and Frank, Holst refrains from envy or resentment despite their comforts. After his daughter, Sissy, is assaulted by Friedmaier and Kromer, Holst sacrifices his job to care for her at home, taking up bookkeeping. His relationship with Frank deepens as he draws parallels between Frank and his own lost son, who succumbed to despair after turning to theft to fund his education.
Holst's character is marked by an inscrutable demeanor, grappling silently with personal and societal injustices. His evolution into a forgiving father figure becomes pivotal for Frank's redemption. By offering paternal care during prison visits, Holst helps Frank find peace, ultimately facilitating his journey towards confession and acceptance of his fate.
Sissy Holst
Sissy Holst, the teenage daughter of Gerhardt Holst, exhibits a profound and unwavering devotion to Friedmaier. Despite his indifference to her affections, Sissy seems to intuitively grasp the unhappiness he conceals. Her flirtatiousness inadvertently leads to an...
(This entire section contains 894 words.)
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assault by Kromer, with Frank complicit in the act. Despite falling seriously ill after the attack, Sissy does not forsake her love for Friedmaier. Her visits to him in prison are an expression of this enduring affection, supported by her father.
Sissy's character, though not deeply developed, embodies innocent devotion. Her simple livelihood, painting flowers on teacups, highlights her vulnerability and purity amidst the surrounding turmoil. Her unwavering love for Friedmaier, even in the face of betrayal, speaks to her capacity for forgiveness and emotional resilience.
Annie Loeb
Annie Loeb, an elegant prostitute, mirrors Frank's laziness and insolence. Her refusal to engage in Lotte’s housework captivates Frank, as does her lifestyle of reading and smoking indulgently. Unknown to Frank, Annie awaits death, serving as a spy on German officers under the guise of prostitution. Her father, a captured Resistance member, influences her clandestine activities, adding a layer of complexity to her character.
Fred Kromer
Fred Kromer, a twenty-two-year-old drug dealer, embodies corrupt sensuality with his bull-like demeanor. Sporting luxurious attire and habits, Kromer serves as Friedmaier's connection to the occupation forces. His pursuit of destitute young girls and complicity in the assault on Sissy highlight his depravity. Kromer's role in Frank's life is one of both influence and collaboration in corrupting innocence, marking him as a significant but morally bankrupt character.
The "Old Gentleman"
The "Old Gentleman," a scholarly figure who constantly rolls his own cigarettes, serves as another father figure for Frank, despite his allegiance to the occupying forces. His role is pivotal in guiding Frank toward a confession and ultimate acceptance of his fate. Through persistent questioning in prison, he facilitates Frank's cathartic visits with Holst and Sissy, paving the way for Frank's eventual confession and readiness to face the end.
