Deceit/deception is a theme directly seen in the texts. Although G. A. Bredero’s “The Spanish Brabanter “(1618) was written in a different context to Gerard Reve’s “The Evenings,” the two texts exhibit the theme of deceit in diverse ways amid the challenges that make them conform to it. The texts show how people are deceived in the streets of Amsterdam and its motivation in both the 17th and 20th centuries. Therefore, the essay will explore how deceit is shown and how it guides human overall survival in a society. Nature and the art of companionship will be used, and how the authors use humor as a coping strategy in society about this theme. These elements will be touched on based on the books by Bredeoro and Reve. The legacy of the texts will also be discussed based on how they offered deceit and fraud to their readers and how the aspects became arguably Dutch ethos of tolerance and survival during these periods.
Both Bredero and Reve deliberately created deception in their work to add different perspectives that would create drama in their storyline to ensure that readers are glued to the content of the texts. Through Jerolimo’s character, Bedero shows how people can use manipulative tactics and trickery to achieve their goals. When Jerelimo meets Robbeknol, he is dressed in extravagant clothing that is enough to raise suspicion in the eyes of Robbeknol. This is something that Robbeknol decides to take advantage of in this context when he agrees to be Jerolimo’s servant. He uses this opportunity to exploit several situations for personal gain. Generally, Jerolimo easily deceives people around him through his appearance. This occurrence shows how Amsterdermmers in the 17th century placed all their faith and trust on appearances and not their faith on invisible (spiritual) things, even though they were mainly Christians.. During this period, Jer and Olimo succeeded in influencing people such as Otie, the art dealer, Balich, Beatrice, Jasper, and Geerat. These characters all rented their houses and goods to Jerolimo because they thought he was rich. Beatrice also notes this fact when together with Geerat visits Jerolimo’s house. She blatantly mentioned that people are not to be trusted because society is controlled by its race for money, which is the main reason behind the rampant deceit in the region.
In addition, Reve, using Fitz as the main character, reveals the aspects of using deceit as a coping mechanism in several instances. He uses deceit to deal with external anxieties. When his father and mother are arguing with his father, he mentions that his mother was “speaking in rapid, keening volleys of words.”. He hurries back to the kitchen and tries to make himself believe he did not hear the misunderstanding between his father and mother. He controls his anxiety by singing, which is an act of deception because he does not want to agree with the circumstances at home. He also cautions himself of the reason behind his bad thoughts about his parents, as he wants to act like nothing is happening at home. Generally, Frits adopts a mask of conformity with his family. Outside with friends, he puts on a mask that shows him as a witty and cynical person.. These performances raise questions of who he is in the reality of the book. Reve uses this book to reveal everything about Amsterdam’s life post WWII. After the world war, many things were destroyed in the region, and Amsterdam embarked on different forms of reconstruction. As the city was rebuilding itself post-war, so was Frits grappling with his internal reconstruction, where he tried to seek self-understanding and purpose.
Humor within the texts is another thing that showcases what love is in reality. Bredero uses humor in his text to highlight the absurdity and hypocrisy surrounding the deceit of the characters in his book. Also, he makes the story more engaging when he incorporates humor. Immigration is one of the activities that was common in Amsterdam when Bredero wrote the book. He uses a lot of humor during Jan’s encounter with Herman. Herman was an immigrant who just relocated to Amsterdam and saw the sheep clothing of Jan, a born Amsterdammer. During their encounter, Jan uses humor when he mentions that Herman came from a “Twent and Drente riding on a Whisp of straw.”. Herman responds to this by telling Jan that he came “bare-arsed.” meaning that he was not born in the region. He notes that he was clothed when he arrived in Amsterdam, meaning he came as an adult. In the process, Bredero also reveals deceit. He shows a discussion among patriots in Amsterdam. During their conversations, one can note that a form of deceit is going on in the process. Jan believed that immigrants are deceitful in their endeavors in the region as all they come with are liars and mischief. Jan also felt people should not trust immigrants and what they brought into the area because they cheat Amsterdammers in trade.
Reve uses deceit in several instances to the extent that one starts questioning religion and what it stands for in Amsterdam. The city walk map shows the old church and the new church, revealing that Amsterdammers cared more about the faith and its rules, and yet there is significant deception that goes around in the area while people still quote the church in what they do. Reve, through Frits, exposes the potential deception within an organized religion. He shows this using Frits’ family’s devotion to Protestant beliefs. Frits’s family’s dedication to the church masks deeper unresolved conflicts that challenge Amsterdam’s traditional notion of morality post-war. Reve uses Frits’ life to reveal The extent to which Amsterdammers could utilize deceit and facades in their daily interaction. Fritz wishes death for his parents, talks ill of his father to his friend Viktor, and still asks the Lord almighty if anything that his father is doing at home makes sense to him.. Thus, this is something that questions the authenticity of Frits’ love for God as they do not align with his deceptive thoughts and behaviors towards his parents.
Deception and ethics are examined in “The Spanish Brabanter” about the play’s Christian motif. The play uncovers that the community of Amsterdam is deeply preoccupied with external image, affluence, and shallow devotion. As a result, it becomes evident how dishonest behaviors can thrive in what seems to be a sacred environment. Jerolimo is an example of an Amsterdammer who underscores the potential for hypocrisy to flourish in his endeavors in Amsterdam. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of conforming to religious norms. Brumble noted that the two prostitutes that Bredero mentioned in his book could care less about learning about the scriptures.. All they care about is satisfying the needs of the flesh. Sher and Not hold so much greed, ego, and pride that the scriptures forbid. Moreover, Lust and corruption fill the hearts of many in the town with the Tavern in place, particularly the Sheriff, as Beatrice mentioned. Bredero uses these contradictions and double standards that people living in Amsterdam hold as they clash with religious rules and personal ethics. Thus, “The Spanish Brabanter” makes readers think about morals and the difficulties of living in a society that values religion and money.
One of the main activities that drove Amsterdam’s economy was the business in taverns. Fraud and deceit were common in the area in sex work business in Amsterdam. Jerolimo frequents these taverns as they are the best places to capture men with status. In one text, Annie asks Jerolimo to join him at the Tavern, where all noble fellows go. Jerolimo visits the Tavern because he believes meeting the upper class in these areas will lead to his happiness and fulfillment.. He believes that it is through fraud and deceit that he will achieve it. Also, the prostitutes working in the taverns engage in deception as they go by their businesses. They use their charms and fabricated affections to manipulate men who visit the Tavern. Men like Jerolimo are stripped of their money easily because of Lust. The deception displayed in taverns exposes the potential of love and passion intertwined with deceit.
In both texts, characters face internal conflict and life. Frits and Jerolimo grapple with anxieties amid the deceptions they wear to survive in Amsterdam. Jerolimo wears masks that one might think are for external manipulation only. In a real sense, the inconsistencies hit his life, such as when he sought Trijin’s love and affection. Although he masquerades as a rich person to gain material wealth, he still desires a close relationship and affection when he tells Trijin to grant him “one small courtesy” and allow him as his “humblest slave a little kiss?” Typically, Jerolimo’s actions are mixed with ambition and desperation, and he longs for societal acceptance. Fritz also faces internal conflict amid his deceptive acts to survive in his family. Readers can observe how often he indulges in internal dialogue based on the convictions he faced. Also, he longed for his father’s love, who was distant, deaf, eccentric, ‘intellectual,’ and rude. All the conflicts at home between his mother and father push him to wish them death when he tells his friend Viktor that he is just waiting “for them to hang themselves or beat each other to death.” Psychological realism kicks in at this point because of the internal dialogues and convictions he participates in and feels respectively.
There are consequences of deceit in both texts. Generally, deceit satirizes the Amsterdam upper class in the book “The Spanish Brabanter.” The book reveals the upper class’s obsession with wealth, appearances, and social climbing. This is seen through the number of businesses opened with creditors all over the place readily deceiving people from Amsterdam whose gullibility and willingness to be deceived expose the hollowness of their materialistic world. Jerelimo and his servants and the sex workers are deceivers; at the same time, other characters, such as Junk Shop Keeper, Matchmaker, Landlord, and Goldsmith, are ready to be deceived because money was an important factor then. Jerolimo’s intricate deception prompts us to contemplate the motivations behind human behavior, the boundaries of ethical principles, and the consequences of widespread deceit. This narrative acts as a cautionary tale regarding the perils of utilizing individuals to achieve one’s desires, and his ultimate recourse also functions as a cautionary sign. Nevertheless, Fritz remains isolated most of the time, feeling misunderstood and developing existential anxieties.. Frits may behave in a manner that deviates from societal expectations due to their unconventional appearance. In his defiance of conventions, he sometimes turns to actions of rebellion or defiance. Even in intimate relationships, Frits struggles to reveal his authentic self. Individuals often misinterpret and sever ties with this individual due to their emotional aloofness and reluctance to disclose their innermost insecurities. Thus, deception is incredibly common, and the fact that these individuals deceive others despite their varied backgrounds and motivations highlights the intricate nature of human behavior.
In conclusion, “The Evenings” by Gerard Reve and “The Spanish Brabanter” by G.A. Bredero are narratives centered around deception. However, they use these themes in two distinct ways. Ultimately, deceit is addressed directly by looking at the characters’ behaviors and dialogues. The characters in both texts engage in deceptive behaviors to obtain their desires. They also deceive others in society to navigate the discomfort they experience in social situations. In addition, Brederon delivers this theme using humor that can be seen through the patriot characters, maintaining the reader’s interest. The authors also highlight the absurdity and incorrectness surrounding deception in their own way.
Moreover, the texts prompt contemplation on the authenticity of religious doctrines and illustrate the potential for deceit to thrive in a society that places great importance on faith and wealth. Characters in the texts by Bredero and Geve struggle with their identity and resort to deception to cope with their challenges. Thus, in this case, deceit was employed to highlight societal issues or the complexities of human nature in Amsterdam during the 17th and 20th centuries, respectively.
Bibliography
Bredero, Gerbrandt Adriaensz (Translated by H. David Brumble III). “The Spanish Brabanter .“ (1618).
Reve, Gerard. “The Evenings.” (1947).
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