Analyzing a text and interpreting it can offer someone a great abundance of information about that text but sometimes it takes comparing that text to another to fully grasp a clearer understanding. Antonio Tabucchi’s novel Pereira Declares (1994) and the widely acclaimed film, the Lives of Others (2006, dir. Florian Hanckel von Donnersmack) are both magnificent stories that contain several resemblances. The main characters of the stories, Pereira and Gerd Wiesler both undergo a great transformation through out the story. Through out the story of Pereira Declares, Pereira’s character transforms into someone entirely contrasting from his original character. A similar transformation occurs in the Lives of Others. The main character, Gerd Wiesler, begins the story a dedicated Stasi officer who doubts the loyalty of Georg Dreyman and his girlfriend Christa-Maria. By the end of the novel, Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple. Along with the similar innate meaning, the two texts contain many similarities one being, the importance of family relationships that the authors portray to their readers and audiences.

Pereira and Rossi may not have been genuine blood family, but the bond they shared was as intimate as any family relationship and it had a colossal impact on Pereira’s life. In the beginning of Pereira Declares, Pereira was a desolate Portugal journalist for Lisbon newspaper who spent a majority of his time reflecting on death. Pereira was disheartened and obsessed with the concept of death because of the loss of his wife. Pereira recognizes that the life he has been living is no life at all. He describes feeling like he is living on another planet, and feeling like an insignificant remaining quantity of something bigger. Following a conversation with his friend, Pereira examines himself, “Am I living in another world? And he was struck by the odd notion that perhaps he was not alive at all, it was as if he were dead. Ever since his wife’s death he had been living as if he were dead” (7.) One afternoon Pereira comes across an article, written by Francesco Monteiro Rossi, which was written about mortality. This exposé presents him with an unexplainable connection to Rossi. As the story progresses, Pereira develops a love for Rossi and perceives him as the son he always desired. His tenderness for Rossi helps him to realize the worth in is life. By the conclusion of the story, Pereira turn out to be an unlikely hero when he attempts to protect Rossi from the police and publishes the obituary despite being instructed not to. Pereira’s relationship with Rossi renovates his character for the better.

A similar transformation occurred in the visual text “The Lives of Others.” The main character, Gerd Wiesler, commences the story as a dedicated and enthusiastic Stasi officer. He was cold hearted and did what he had to do for his job, no matter the cost others had to pay. In the beginning his unmistakable judge of character causes him to doubt the loyalty of Georg Dreyman, a playwright, and his actress girlfriend Christa-Maria. He begins to investigate the couple, bugging their apartment, following them, and hanging onto their every action. As the story unfolds, Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic and attached to the couple. The transformation of Wiesler’s heart becomes evident when he is in the diner with Christa-Maria. When discussing her authentic character, he states, “You are. I've seen you on stage. You were more who you are than you are now” (Ulrich Mühe.) From this quote it is evident to the audience Wiesler’s adoration towards the actress. He then faces conflicting loyalties with his superior and job. He begins to hide information he discovers about the two from his boss and takes small actions to protect them. Like Pereira, Wiesler becomes an unexpected hero when he hides the typewriter from the Stasi in order to protect Dreyman.

The stories both take place during a time when Totalitarianism government, where the state or political system controls every aspect of the public’s lives, was evident and played a major role. Both stories encompassed a well-defined ruler. In “Pereira Declares”, Antonio Salazar dictated Portugal and in “The Lives of Others” the Stasi ruled. Before the transformations of Wiesler and Pereira, the two would never act against or disagree with their authoritative government, however, the relationships they formed encouraged them to do what they believed was right no matter the consequence they may face.

By connecting these two texts it is evident to the readers and audience that the authors wanted to stress the importance and effects relationships can have on a person’s character. It is interesting is how the two authors portray the importance of family relationships without the existence of an actual family in either main character’s lives. The two texts are more connected than many may believe. The revolution of the main characters, I believe is the main story line behind these texts, and I think it teaches us all a valuable lesson, that we all need people around us who will change us for the better.