Thursday, September 13, 2018

In what condition does the fallen tree leave each man in "The Interlopers"?

Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym are pinned under the fallen beech trees, and they are badly injured.
Ulrich von Gradwitz has one arm that is made numb because it is beneath him; his other hand is nearly as helpless as it is caught in tangled and bent branches. His two legs are pinned beneath the fallen limbs, making his running away impossible.  His feet are not crushed, only because he has worn heavy shoes, yet they are fractured. Blood trickles down his face.
Georg Znaeym, too, has his arms and legs pinioned under the tree. His arms are made helpless because they are held under him. He, too, is blinded by the blood that trickles down into his eyes.
Ironically trapped together with one another because both have hesitated to shoot for a civilized instant when they have been vis-à-vis, the two enemies eventually reconcile their differences after von Gradwitz offers Znaeym his friendship: 

"Neighbour, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel I - I will ask you to be my friend."
"I have changed my mind about things too.... Ulrich von Gradwitz, I will be your friend."

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