Der Sohn: Ein Drama in fünf Akten

"Der Sohn: Ein Drama in fünf Akten" by Walter Hasenclever is a play written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds around the tumultuous relationship between a father and his young son, exploring themes of identity, generational conflict, and the longing for freedom. The son grapples with feelings of inadequacy and rebellion, which come to a head after failing to pass his graduation exams. The opening of the play establishes the son in his room, amidst a blend of despair and a yearning for a meaningful life. He converses with his tutor, expressing his struggles with societal expectations and his fraught connections with family. The dynamic shifts as the son expresses a desperate need for love and understanding, hinting at a deeper emotional turbulence within him. A poignant passage reveals his internal conflict about legacy and autonomy, setting the stage for the conflicts with his father that will define the drama. This opening serves as a compelling introduction to the themes of youth, despair, and the search for one's place in the world.