Analyzing a text allows a reader to understand how its elements work to create its meaning; but sometimes it takes comparing that text to another to fully grasp its significance and implications. Two such texts are Antonio Tabucchi’s novel Pereira Declares (1994) and the widely acclaimed film, the Lives of Others (2006, dir. Florian Hanckel von Donnersmack) which tell similar stories about courage and compassion in a totalitarian world. By comparing these two stories, we can understand how encountering people with different experiences and perspective has a positive effect on the main characters, for in both cases, this relationship triggers a political awakening. By the end of the novel, Pereira’s character becomes someone markedly different from when we first met him. An elderly, lonely journalist, he undergoes a powerful transformation from a passive, apathetic man to a caring, responsible individual committed to freedom of expression. A comparable transformation occurs in the Lives of Others. The main character, Gerd Wiesler, doubts at first the loyalty of Georg Dreyman and his girlfriend Christa-Maria to the East Germany’s Socialist Party. By the end of the novel, Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple and what they stand for: truth and freedom. 

Pereira’s revolution from a depressed, journalist, obsessed with the concept of death, to a caring human being committed to freedom of expression was thanks to the friendship he formed with Monteriro Rossi. Getting to know him from an exposé written about death, Pereira connects to Rossi seeing him as another version of himself. Pereira takes on a fatherly role towards Rossi, seeing him as the son he always desired. The story describes Pereira desperately wanting a son when it proclaims, “He had longed for one, but he couldn’t ask so much of that frail suffering woman who spent sleepless nights and long stretches in the sanatorium. And this grieved him” (8.) From this quote we are able to understand Pereira’s desperation for a family and we can understand why he takes on the fatherly role so quickly. His relationship with Rossi, causes Pereira to recognizes the life he had been living was in fact, 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.) The death of Rossi in the end, causes Pereira to write and publish what he feels without fear of the government. He writes an article about Rossi’s murder and concludes it with a challenge for his readers to think about how regularly violence had been used, conceivably even with the support of the government. The relationship between Rossi and Pereira had a great effect on Pereira’s personality, causing him to realize the worth in his life and to live with out fear.

Many individuals would assume “The Lives of Others” is a story that portrays the cultural ideas of pro-communist East Berlin in 1984. However, this film is more a story about the struggle of humankind to form emotionally and morally and less about the ideas surrounding communism. The cultural ideas included in the film simply plays the role of a contributing backdrop that illustrates the need for humankind to relate, respect, and value each other. Like Pereira, Gerd Wiesler, a once dedicate, intense Stasi officer, also experienced a transformation of character. In the beginning his unmistakable judge of character causes him to lack trust in Georg Dreyman, a playwright, and his actress girlfriend Christa-Maria. However, as time progresses, he becomes unexpectedly sympathetic towards the couple and their ideas. His adoration towards the two becomes apparent, during the scene in the diner with Christa-Maria. Wiesler says to her, “You are. I've seen you on stage. You were more who you are than you are now” (Ulrich Mühe.) In this quote he is uncharacteristically showing compassion towards her and reminding her of who she is. Wiesler’s subtle shift of understanding, and sympathy, demonstrates that empathy and kindness come from not seeing the ways that we are different, but instead seeing the ways in which we are all alike.

Tabucchi’s novel and Donnersmack’s film contain many similar qualities, such as the inner transformation of the main characters, that make the two comparable. However, they also include differences that present them with their own unique touch. One notable difference that comes to mind when comparing the two side by side is, the different settings. Pereira Declares takes place in Lisbon, during the late summer of 1938. Whereas the Lives of Others takes place in East Berlin in 1984. Another significant distinction between the two would be the types of relationships formed by Wiesler and Pereira. While the relationships in both stories are critical to the characters’ development, the relationship Pereira forms is a close fatherly relation, whereas the relationship formed by Wiesler is more of a relationship built on admiration.

The stories both take place during a time when the state or political system controls every aspect of the public’s lives, a system known as Totalitarianism government. 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. Although government played a major role in the stories, it was not the main point, it was simply there to provide a background that informed the audience about the need for change. 

Despite the different settings, the similarities between Tabucchi’s novel and Donnersmack’s film are interesting. By connecting these two texts we are able to see the significance relationships can have on a person’s character, for in both cases, relationships sparked an awakening for the main characters. Theses texts are great examples that teach us to keep an open mind because even if someone has different ideas and views than we do, doesn’t mean they can’t teach us lot about ourselves and have a positive effect on who we are.  

 