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Alfred Loth, a former schoolmate and fellow student of the engineer Hoffmann. Alfred Loth came to this place to study the workers’ question, especially the situation of coal miners, up close and in person. He is an idealistic politician with a touch of Social Democracy about him, and he makes a living writing articles and books; he is a decent fellow, a bit obsessed, a steadfast doctrinarian and stickler for principles, but definitely honest and reliable. Among his principles, the struggle against alcoholism takes priority. He is one of those people who, by virtue of their own strength, aspire to create a better sort of human being, in order to take this healthier race as the departure point for finding bliss for humanity. So this Alfred Loth, replete with ambitions to elevate humanity, a man whom we might briefly characterize as a fanatical teetotaler, is stuck in a den of schnapps. Keen observation does not seem to be his strong suit; he notices nothing. Perhaps this is the case because, as doctrinarians often do, he immediately becomes interested in the younger daughter Helene. And she requites this interest. Incidentally, the situation of this Helene is different from that of the other occupants of the house. Years ago, her deceased mother’s last will had taken her, for educational purposes, to Herrnhut*; and for her, Alfred Loth’s entry into her father’s house was like reconnecting to those times when she still actually saw and heard humans. With every passing moment, she becomes more and more convinced that she can only be rescued from the quagmire in which she is stuck by this simple man who has come to her home by divine providence, this man who does not dazzle and captivate, but who is honest and has principles. And, best of all, this man who loves her. There is no festive engagement, but they are engaged, and Helene counts the hours until she will be set free and introduced to different circumstances, if necessary by means of escape. At this point, for better or worse, fate leads the physician of the mountain village, one Dr. Schimmelpfennig, to the house. Loth recognizes him, just as he had recognized Hoffmann the day before, as an old comrade from his fraternity days, a comrade, however, who has remained faithful to past principles. In a wonderful scene (in dramatic terms, the play’s most important), the pessimistic Schimmelpfennig, who, like Loth, subscribes to ideals, paints a picture of the Krauses’ home and family while his friend listens with horrified attention. Loth finds himself confronted with the choice of either breaking his principles or his promise of love. He chooses the latter, writes a short note, and leaves the house. A few minutes later, Helene, gripped with terrible premonitions, looks for him but finds nothing but his words of farewell. In desperation and without a moment’s hesitation, she tears the hunting knife from the wall and rushes into the adjacent room. Immediately thereafter, a maid comes in to deliver a message to Helene, and when the maid finally enters the adjacent room in search of Helene, she rushes out again with a cry of horror, and the desolate house reverberates with the news of the bloody event. The stage remains empty as the curtain falls.
* The first settlement of the Moravian Brethren – trans.
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