Review Of Theodor Fontane's Effi Briest
Theodor Fontane’s realist novel Effi Briest (1896) functions as both a descriptive and a prescriptive novel in the sense that the writer captures and exposes the horrors of arranged marriage for Nineteenth Century women. Fontane shows the initial feeling of joy young women experience when they learn of their imminent marriage and the great emotional pain inflicted upon them when they are imprisoned by the union. Furthermore, the author illustrates the dangers of marriage intended to result in political gain rather than actual love and companionship. Though Effi is not apart of the Jewish minority in Prussia, her arranged marriage can be compared to those discussed in Marion Kaplan’s article For Love or Money: Jewish Marriage Strategies, especially
…show more content…
As a young girl, Effi adopts a cynical attitude toward the socially constructed concept of marriage in the Nineteenth Century. However, she also appears to be convinced that there is always the opportunity that love can be found in an arranged although it is not guaranteed. In conversation with her companion Herta she says, “Anyone is Mr. Right” (Fontane 26), which accurately portrays a legitimate point of view for European women in the Nineteenth Century. Her statement makes it clear that she understands that marriage is an endeavor that is determined by factors of social compatibility—similar wealth and status—rather than personal compatibility. Arranged marriages, like the one Effi ends up in, were especially common in Europe and her home in Prussia was no different. As Marion Kaplan points out in her article, girls from this area could be expected to married off in the pursuit of increased wealth and status for the respective families involved, and marriage participants were keenly aware of this reality. Furthermore, it was expected of the couple to “fall in love” after marriage if it were not possible to stage the relationship in such a way that the couple had fallen for each other prior to their engagement. In some cases, such as that of Ines Fortoul (Plott), prove that the concept of finding love in marriage rather than before is possible and Effi seems to cling to the feeling that it is possible for her. Many women of this time likely hoped for that outcome, however, as Effi points out, if an arranged marriage can produce opulence and a large home, there is still hope for
As a young girl, Effi adopts a cynical attitude toward the socially constructed concept of marriage in the Nineteenth Century. However, she also appears to be convinced that there is always the opportunity that love can be found in an arranged although it is not guaranteed. In conversation with her companion Herta she says, “Anyone is Mr. Right” (Fontane 26), which accurately portrays a legitimate point of view for European women in the Nineteenth Century. Her statement makes it clear that she understands that marriage is an endeavor that is determined by factors of social compatibility—similar wealth and status—rather than personal compatibility. Arranged marriages, like the one Effi ends up in, were especially common in Europe and her home in Prussia was no different. As Marion Kaplan points out in her article, girls from this area could be expected to married off in the pursuit of increased wealth and status for the respective families involved, and marriage participants were keenly aware of this reality. Furthermore, it was expected of the couple to “fall in love” after marriage if it were not possible to stage the relationship in such a way that the couple had fallen for each other prior to their engagement. In some cases, such as that of Ines Fortoul (Plott), prove that the concept of finding love in marriage rather than before is possible and Effi seems to cling to the feeling that it is possible for her. Many women of this time likely hoped for that outcome, however, as Effi points out, if an arranged marriage can produce opulence and a large home, there is still hope for