
A principle, now known as the butterfly effect, is pioneered by Edward Lorenz and states that ‘one flap of seagull’s wings would be enough to alter the course of the weather forever’ (Brown). It reminds us that even a very small action from an individual can be amplified into the large-scale effects elsewhere. Interestingly, this idea is illuminated as the main theme in the two texts: Pereira Declares, a novel written by Antonia Tabucchi, and The Lives of Others, a movie filmed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. By comparing the similarities and the differences of these texts, we can understand how one text correlates to another. In particular, through the setting, character’s occupations, and their actions, we can examine that a small change is the most significant and impactful step in order to have an effect on a complex system. 

Pereira Declares and The Lives of Others contain very similar setting throughout their stories. Tabucchi’s novel “describes events that took place in and around Lisbon in 1938 beginning on 25th July” (Murdoch). When the civilian right, the landed oligarchy, and the military joined forces in a counter-revolutionary movement, Portuguese liberal democratic was ended, and the dictatorship of the right began to rule the country for forty-eight years (Gallagher). Under Salazar’s regime, a power that an individual had had been fatally weakened, and Portuguese government had regulated and oppressed people’s freedom of speech. This system is known as totalitarianism. Portugal had a belief that an individual must be controlled and is worthwhile only when one is a part of the whole, in this case, the country. 

In the same way, von Donnersmarck’s movie reaches “back into the totalitarian past and over the Berlin Wall into the grim, brutal absurdity of the late, unlamented German Democratic Republic, and lay bare the anxious, cruel psychology of socialism as it once existed” (Scott). The events took place in the East Germany, where it also was ruled under totalitarianism. These similar political regime in both texts allows their protagonists to fight against the oppressive system. 

 Although each protagonist is living under the similar regime, they have different occupations that demonstrate a difference in their ability to confront the system. Both have a job whose power is feared and therefore suppressed by the higher authorities. Pereira, a protagonist of Pereira Declares, is an old journalist who is responsible for “culture page” of the newspaper. As a journalist, he has freedom and right to choose his own topic for the newspaper. However, it is forbidden to publish any articles that are related to politics because of the fear of opposing forces. Thus, we can interpret that Pereira’s occupation is very submissive to its system, yet he is the one who can publicize a corruptness of the government. 

On the other hand, Wiesler, a protagonist of The Lives of Others, is one of the officers of state security service of the German Democratic Republic. He addresses his job with “the proud discipline of a professional and the zeal of a true believer” (Scott). He is capable of forcing other people to be punished under the system. In contrast to Pereira, Wiesler has more authoritative powers and has some ability to manipulate the system to control others. However, it is his duty to obey the rules that the government and higher authorities have established. From this, we can realize that, under the same political regime, Pereira is the one who is oppressed by the system, whereas Wiesler is the one who oppresses with the system. 

Since the characters have different occupations, they act in different ways to fight against totalitarianism. At the beginning of Pereira Declares, Pereira always falls behind about the news that is going on around him. He does not care about the oppressive system. However, after he develops a close relationship with his clinic doctor, he begins to doubt his isolated and apolitical life and opens his eyes to his ability to do something against totalitarianism. Thus, when the police visits Pereira and beats his close friend to death, he decides to publish a crime report about the murder by the police and condemning the regime in his newspaper page without any hesitation. 

On the other hand, Wiesler is the true believer of the totalitarian system. He is one of the authorities who is beyond the oppression. However, as he continues to spy over a famous playwright, who has opposing views of the system, Wiesler realizes that the higher authorities are not superior above all. In fact, they are abusing their powers to fulfill their own needs and benefits. For this reason, Wiesler is disillusioned with the German Democratic Republic and the Stasi, and becomes to sympathize the playwright and choses to stand on the “right” side. Therefore, he helps the playwright hide the evidences of any rebellious works from the police. 

Despite their different actions, it is obvious that they both are responsible for forming the opposing force. However, Pereira chooses to flee to another country with a fake passport, whereas Wiesler does not run away and accepts his loss of careers. This difference implies that Pereira is still afraid of being punished by the system and is still eager for a better life. Wiesler, in contrast, is more passionate and heroic in overthrowing the corrupt system. For Wiesler, saving his own country is more important than his own life. Yet, their small movements are surely powerful enough to alter the entire political regime.

By examining these similarities and differences of the two texts, we can discover that one does not have to be special in order to take actions against something. It is matter of how one is loyal and desperate in changing a complex system. No matter what career one has, there are always keys to unlock the oppression. In other words, doing the best of one’s ability to rebel is the most valuable thing, not what particular actions one takes. A big movement always starts from a small action of individuals, such as Pereira and Wiesler. The most significant part in understand the butterfly effect is that one does not realize how impactful his or her action is to the world until after the event. It only takes one courageous flap to change the world. 
