Little Man - What Now?

Hans Fallada's novel "Little Man - What Now?" was published in 1932. The consequences of the global economic crisis at the time, such as high unemployment, poverty, loss of values and political disorientation, are described using the example of employee Johannes Pinneberg and his wife Emma, known as Lämmchen. The story takes place between 1930 and 1932 and is set in the small town of Ducherow on the Baltic Sea and Berlin.

Part 1 shows the history up to Berlin:

When Lämmchen and Pinneberg find out that they are expecting a child, they decide to get married. Happily in love, they prepare for a life in modest circumstances. Pinneberg, a white-collar worker, is not welcome in the working-class family of Lämmchen. He has no contact with his mother, Mia, a live-in lady in Berlin.

After the wedding, the couple moved into a furnished room outside Ducherow. In a letter to Pinneberg's mother, Lämmchen introduces herself as her daughter-in-law. Pinneberg tries to conceal his marriage in the village. His boss, the grain merchant Kleinholz, wants to set him up with his daughter Marie. When Kleinholz catches Pinneberg and Lämmchen in flagrante delicto, he fires his accountant. Mia lures the couple to Berlin with the prospect of work.

Part 2 shows the story from Berlin: (Before the 2nd part there is a short movie about the most important stations of the first part, so that you can follow the story without problems)

The young couple initially live with Pinneberg's mother and her lover, who have shady parties every evening. Pinneberg gets a job as a salesman in Mandel's department store; however, he is not appreciated by his superiors and his salary does not meet his expectations. In March 1931, his son Horst, called Murkel by his parents, was born. The two of them now live in an attic room. Money in the Pinneberg house becomes increasingly scarce. Meanwhile, rationalization continues at Mandel, the sales quota is difficult to achieve and fear reigns among the employees. Whether Lämmchen and Pinneberg manage to keep their heads above water and whether love is strong enough to survive under these circumstances is revealed in this touching story of: "Little Man -What Now?"

Fallada's 1932 novel explores the possibilities of solidarity and individual happiness in the face of a society dominated by economic constraints.