Heinrich Böll "Like a Bad Dream"

"Like a Bad Dream" is a story written by Heinrich Böll that revolves around a young German couple. The narrator’s name remains unknown, but we do know his wife’s name—Bertha. While the narrator’s family is scarcely mentioned, Bertha’s family is frequently discussed. The tone of the story is simple, everyday, and smooth. Böll's writing style is straightforward and conversational, but it also carries a strong sense of sarcasm. The story is easy to read, and despite the ominous title, it doesn’t delve into tragic or dramatic events. The situation the couple finds themselves in might not seem dire, but it subtly affects the characters.

The narrative centers around the narrator, who is bidding on a large contract for a man named Zumpen. This situation can be described as embodying the “banality of evil,” one of the story's central themes. The two couples discuss the contract as though it were a routine, legal agreement, normalizing the unethical actions involved. This normalization of wrongdoing is the crux of the story.

At the beginning of the story, the couples arrange a dinner, which initially seems like it will be an important meeting. However, when the Zumpens arrive, the meeting unfolds like a regular family gathering, devoid of significant arrangements. They all know that it’s unethical to meet before finalizing the contract, yet they proceed without hesitation.

Bertha, the narrator’s wife, bears a strong resemblance to Lady Macbeth. She is a dominant, educated, and somewhat bossy figure. This dominance is another theme in the story, as Bertha's oppressive nature weighs heavily on the protagonist. Despite her outward religious appearance, her sincerity is questionable due to her involvement in unethical and illegal dealings.

The dinner goes smoothly, and the Zumpens even invite the narrator and Bertha to their home, marking a step forward in their relationship. Bertha is more than just supportive; she is deeply involved in every aspect of her husband’s work, to the point of overstepping her bounds. As the story progresses, both the narrator and the reader notice subtle shifts in their relationship. Bertha’s control becomes more evident, and the narrator feels manipulated and humiliated. His presence diminishes throughout the story, leaving him feeling increasingly useless and overshadowed.

A particularly humiliating moment occurs when Bertha reprimands the narrator as if he were a child, undermining his confidence and implying his incompetence. She appears to be guiding him, but her actions are more crushing than supportive. Eventually, they visit Zumpen’s house to finalize the contract, a deal that is illegal. Bertha and Mrs. Zumpen conduct the transaction so naturally that it almost seems like a normal business deal, despite its criminal nature.

In the story, married women like Bertha and Mrs. Zumpen gain more power through their relationships, using their husbands as pawns to achieve financial gain. After the contract is signed, the narrator realizes he no longer wants to kiss Bertha, signaling a loss of interest and affection. He begins to adopt more traditionally "manly" behaviors as his guilt surfaces, though he does so subconsciously. With the signing of the contract, he becomes a corrupted partner in crime.

Throughout the story, the women are depicted as dominant figures who manipulate the men for their own purposes. There is no sign of love in the story; in fact, love seems to be fading. The women represent power, using anything at their disposal to achieve their goals. Although the contract is illegal, they refer to it as "business," normalizing the crime. In some instances, Bertha even forces the narrator to continue with the unethical job, contributing to their corrupt relationship. The narrator sacrifices his principles for Bertha and the job.

After the contract is signed, Zumpen contacts the narrator to correct a mistake Bertha made in the agreement. The husbands become more active in the discussion, and after Zumpen leaves, the narrator realizes that Bertha has disappeared. She leaves as a form of punishment, and her dominance forces the narrator to question why she left. Despite this, the narrator feels a sense of relief and happiness due to his newfound assertiveness.