Essay Questions

How does the issue of depression emerge in the book Effi Briest?

Effi is depicted as the main character who undergoes a series of unfortunate events that leave her depressed for the rest of her life. Firstly, her secretive affair with Crampas is discovered by her husband and she is divorced. She is also denied the custody of their only daughter. Secondly, Effi is disowned by her own family because she has become a disgrace. Baron programs his daughter to hate her mother because of unfaithfulness and divorce. Before the divorce, Effi and her daughter were having the best relationship but after the divorce things take a drastic change. When Effi meets her daughter after many years, they fail to reconcile because she has been programmed to hate her. Effi is left depressed and she ends up developing a nervous disorder. At last, Effi’s parents accept to take her until the time she dies.

What are the wages of infidelity as depicted by the author?

Unfaithfulness in marriage is not a contemporary issue but it is something that has been there over the ages. The author reveals to the reader that Effi is having an affair with Crampas behind her husband’s knowledge. Crampas is a great rival to Baron but Effi goes ahead to have an affair with him because she feels lonely and neglected. Unfortunately to Effi, Baron discovers that she has been having an affair with Crampas when he comes across letters exchanged between the two. As a result, Baron divorces Effi and he takes custody of their daughter. Effi is left penniless and she suffers more seclusion for the rest of her life.

How does the theme of seclusion manifest itself in the text?

Effi Briest is driven to solitude by her desires. She gets married to Baron because of his riches but not love and companion. Baron is 21 years senior to her, and he is ever busy with his business trips. Effi is left home alone most of the time. When she tries to talk with her husband over the same, he dismisses her and accuses her of nativity and paranoia. Effi’s lineless drives to engage in am extramarital affair with Major Crampas behind Baron’s back.