Essay Questions

What is the mother’s role in the conspiratorial crime partnership with her daughter Martha, and what does it say about her character?

Martha and her mother are partners in crime, but right from the start it is clear that the one who holds the reins is Martha, while the mother passively follows along. From the first dialogue it is clear that the mother is tired of it, feels guilt and regret, even mentions religion catching up to her. At the end, as they follow through in killing Jan, the mother finally gives up, rather than actively facing the consequences, she decides to no longer live without her son. Passivity is the key word when it comes to the character of mother. She failed to actively teach her daughter, be an active part of her life and prevent the murderous path. At the end, she claims that her love for her son is much stronger than the love for her daughter, but even her final resolve has a sense of passivity in it. Her character further confirms the overall theme of the play, which is the theme of hopelessness of the human condition.

What is the significance of the character of the old man in the play?

The old man appears as a passive observer character in the play. He is silent throughout, save for the final scene, but his presence hold a significant weight. He refuses to meddle with the business of the characters, but keeps a watchful and knowing eye on them. All this, and even the stereotypical appearance, hints towards the meaning of the old man, which is the symbolism of godly presence. This is openly revealed at the end, with Maria praying to god and the old man making his entrance and refusing her pleas.

How is the title of the play an understatement?

The title of the play, “The Misunderstanding”, is an understatement, referring to the entirety of the play. The misunderstanding that the title refers to leads to the tragic fate of the unfortunate protagonist of the play, namely Jan. Jan finally returns home to his mother and sister, willing to help them in any way he can, while the unaware two plot his murder, as they did to many other men before. The understatement provided in the title is a further evidence of the message of hopelessness of the play. The circumstances that take place and lead to Jan’s death are ridiculous, grotesque, and darkly humorous, alluding to the ridiculous and hopeless nature of humanity.