Greed (Wohmann)
Greed is a short story by Gabriele Wohmann from 1964, which appeared in 1972 in the short story collection Alles für die Galerie in Aufbau-Verlag Berlin.
The text is written on the punch line: Not every Bible saying should be taken literally.
content
The first-person narrator - mother of five - looks up at her husband. Both have the upbringing of their offspring under control. Even the numerous relatives are indirectly included in this development project. When a child - as here the son Kurt - is to be confirmed , the parents agree by telephone who should contribute which gift. Childless relatives adhere to the instructions of the calling parents: most of them give willingly and particularly generously, but some are reluctant and bring a gift that has not been coordinated.
No matter - whatever is given: the main thing is that it is values. The children thank their parents; they take possession of the gifts. Kurt, however, steps out of line in front of his relatives during the celebration of his confirmation. The confirmation person throws his beautiful presents out of the living room window with a roar. The globe and gold clock smash in the tiled courtyard. Paper gifts that were previously torn up - a reference work and cash - fly after them as snippets.
After this lapse, Kurt will have to be brought up outside of the family. It will cost money! The mother does not understand her boy and blames the pastor with his unsuitable confirmation saying. After that, Isaiah says in a sense: You should hate shameful gain and despise gifts. Then everything will be fine.
literature
First edition
- Greed . P. 86–96 in Gabriele Wohmann: Everything for the gallery. Stories. With a comment by Günther Cwojdrak . 163 pages. Aufbau-Verlag, Berlin 1972, without ISBN (still contains: An Occasion. The Piano Lesson. The Sisters. Visiting. Drinking is the most wonderful thing . Always think about this afternoon. Albert's program. Inaugural speech. Hamster, hamster! Statute of limitations . Distraction. Sunday with the Kreisands. When the wolf goes. November fits. The Bütows )
Used edition
- Gabriele Wohmann: Greed. Stories. 93 pages. Piper, Munich 1993 (Piper series, vol. 1666), ISBN 3-492-11666-3 (still contains: Compact. Before death. The old man. Wax figures. The boat is coming back. Inaugural address. The answer. A nice guy. Just don't fuss )
Web links
- June 28, 2015, Georg Magirius : Complete stories by Gabriele Wohmann. Alphabetical directory 25 pages pdf
Individual evidence
- ↑ Magirius, p. 10 and Häntzschel, p. 157, entry 12
- ↑ King James Version , Old Testament , Prophets , Isaiah: 33.15 LUT