Amerika: The Missing Person

Karl finds himself with a life of relative ease and luxury in his uncle’s lavish home—with his writing desk and piano being worthy of note. The objects’ craftsmanship and innovations (such as the handle on the desk) are especially fascinating to Karl given his engineer training. However, Karl enjoys these objects not only for their function and quality, but the nostalgia they stir within him. These memories provide insight into Karl’s life before his banishment to America.

The writing desk has an adjuster that changes its compartments, an invention that reminds Karl of nativity scenes back home that awed him and his mother. Such memories are never far from his mind: “the desk hadn’t been designed to recall such things, but the history of inventions was probably full of such vague connections” (30). Karl’s homesickness manifests in many ways, nostalgia being one of them.

Yet, Karl also enjoys the lifestyle his uncle’s wealth offers: Before attending horseback riding lessons with Mr. Mak, Karl enjoys a warm bath in a modern tub—a convenience he realizes not even his richest schoolmates back in Europe had access to.

When Jakob purchases a piano for him, Karl considers making his new environment feel more like home by playing an old ballad he learned in Prague. However, the song sounds “peculiar” (31) with the bustling sounds of the street pouring in through his bedroom window. Jakob brings Karl the scores of American marches, but he is not as interested in learning these songs. Though Karl enjoys his uncle’s generosity, it is strongly suggested that said generosity is not meant to be squandered; it has purpose. Jakob advising Karl against mindless people-watching reveals his desire to prepare the younger as a businessman—which requires assimilation.

Karl resists Jakob’s wish, but devotes himself to studying English as the “best way of pleasing his uncle” (32). Jakob wants an English tutor to accompany Karl everywhere, as he does not want to risk the younger being misunderstood. This emphasizes just how important Karl’s success in social situations is to Jakob; despite Jakob’s motive being obvious, Karl wishes to please him. Karl is impressed by Jakob’s achievements, telling him “it’s like a miracle” (35). He fails to recognize that his uncle sees his success not as a miracle, but the result of 30 years of labor and the “speed” with which things happen in America (35). This communication gap leads to a terrible misunderstanding regarding Mr. Pollunder’s invitation to his estate outside of the city. Jakob implies that he does not want Karl to go, but the latter fails to read between the lines. Karl’s naivete and social ineptitude remain, despite his elevated social class. While grateful to his uncle, Karl expresses an underlying discomfort and inability to adjust to his new life, his new position’s requirements.

Karl spends most of his days attending lessons or studying, so he does not get to know his uncle well enough to realize he angered him by accepting Pollunder’s offer. Karl’s childish naivete clashes with Jakob’s cautious, deliberate nature.

During the car ride, Karl sees demonstrations in the streets but does not concern himself with what they might be about; instead, he merely wishes for the comfort and security of Pollunder’s home. This signals that Karl is growing accustomed to the lifestyle of the wealthy and disconnected from workers’ concerns. This contrasts with his behavior in Chapter 1, in which he championed a humble stoker. However, there is irony in this moment: Karl’s decision to leave his uncle’s home will force him into the harsh world of poverty, and he will no longer be disconnected from broader society.