Der Untertan

The novel "Der Untertan" by Heinrich Mann chronicles the life of Diederich Hessling, a "subject" who embodies the obsequious and conformist mentality prevalent in Wilhelmine Germany. Born into a modest family in the provincial town of Netzig, Diederich is a timid and fearful child, deeply influenced by the authoritarian figures in his life, particularly his father, a stern industrialist and former non-commissioned officer. Diederich’s childhood is marked by a constant struggle for approval, a fear of punishment, and a deep-seated desire to emulate those in power. His early experiences at school further solidify his character, where he learns to exploit his emotions and develop a capacity for subservience to authority, while simultaneously exhibiting cruelty towards weaker individuals, notably the Jewish boy in his class. As he progresses through the gymnasium and into university, Diederich’s ambition to rise in society and his desire to embody the ideal of the dutiful German subject intensure. He studies chemistry, a field he deems scientifically justifiable, and navigates the social landscape of Berlin. His encounters with the Göppel family, particularly the daughter Agnes, reveal his social awkwardness and his intense desire for acceptance. Despite his internal turmoil and a budding, albeit clumsy, attempt at romance, Diederich remains largely dominated by external pressures and a learned deference to power. His university years are marked by his involvement in a student fraternity, the Neuteutonia, where he learns the rituals of camaraderie and the importance of belonging to a group that dictates his thoughts and actions. This period is a crucible for his developing personality, shaping his future subservience to established hierarchies. Upon returning to Netzig after completing his studies and military service, Diederich finds his father on his deathbed. The father’s dying wish is for Diederich to uphold the family’s legacy and business, the paper mill. Diederich, now the head of the family, begins his ascent, driven by a relentless ambition to conform and succeed within the existing social and political structures. He meticulously adopts the mannerisms of the powerful, seeking to impress those above him and demonstrating his loyalty through strict adherence to rules and outward displays of patriotism. He marries Agnes Göppel, securing a social and financial advantage, and begins to climb the ladder of success, eventually becoming a prominent figure in Netzig’s civic life. His rise is characterized by his complete assimilation into the Wilhelmine system, which he serves with zealous devotion. Diederich embodies the ideal of the subject: blindly obedient, deeply nationalistic, and devoid of independent thought or critical judgment. He is a fervent supporter of Emperor Wilhelm II, echoing the monarch's rhetoric and mirroring his aggressive foreign policy. His personal life is a reflection of his public persona; he suppresses any genuine emotion or independent thought in favor of outward conformity and the pursuit of status. He curries favor with superiors, ostracizes those who deviate from the norm, and dedicates himself to the service of the state, which he equates with the service of God and the fatherland. His ambition is not directed towards personal fulfillment or the pursuit of knowledge, but rather towards achieving a position of power and influence within the established order. The novel concludes with Diederich as a successful and respected citizen, a pillar of the community, yet fundamentally unchanged in his character. He has achieved the status he craved, but at the cost of his own identity, becoming a mere instrument of the state, a perfect embodiment of the "subject" he so desperately sought to be. The novel serves as a critique of the Wilhelmine era's social and political climate, highlighting the dangers of blind obedience, unchecked nationalism, and the suppression of individual thought in favor of conformity and the pursuit of power.