The worker's wife
The Worker's Wife (original title Työmiehen vaimo ) is a play by the Finnish writer Minna Canth , published in 1885. It was the first socially critical play written in the Finnish language .
action
The worker Risto marries Johanna. His former lover, the gypsy girl Kerttu, known as Homsantuu (term for a messy, sloppy woman), appears at the wedding and accuses him of breaking faith. Risto laughs at her. Johanna is appalled by his behavior and wants to leave him immediately, but her friends - apart from the stubborn Vappu who encourages her - hold her back and remind her of their marriage vows.
Johanna stays with Risto, who soon drinks her money. She has no legal means to stop him. Than the money squandered, Risto creates the household continues to sell it or pledge, also a valuable material, to edit the Johanna for the rich woman Vörsky.
Eventually Risto leaves Johanna and returns to Homsantuu. Johanna collapses and dies delirious .
When there is nothing left to get from Homsantuu either, Risto leaves her and turns to Vappu, who, however, does not want to know anything about him. But she takes care of his child. Homsantuu appears beside himself with anger at Risto and threatens him with a pistol, but is overpowered by the police and led away. Risto goes to the pub satisfied with his friends.
effect
In 1885, the year Työmiehen vaimo appeared , the Finnish parliament passed a law according to which women kept their property even in marriage. However, a direct influence of the play is doubtful.
Publications
- Työmiehen vaimo. WSOY, Porvoo 1885
- Työmiehen vaimo. Söderström, Helsinki 2003, ISBN 951-0-27818-1
- The worker's wife. Barnstorf, 2008, German translation by Nadine Erler , ISBN 978-3-940597-13-7