Amerika: The Missing Person

“When his father had given the suitcase into his possession, he had mused in jest: I wonder how long you’ll manage to hang on to it for? And now that expensive suitcase might already be lost in earnest. His only consolation was the fact that his father couldn’t possibly learn about his present fix, even if he tried to make inquiries.”

Karl being concerned about what his parents think emphasizes how young he is. Rather than worrying about a lost possession he might need, he is more concerned about his father finding out—whose impression of his son as fumbling and untrustworthy is clear. Karl’s father expected him to lose the suitcase.

“Karl for his part felt stronger and more alert than he had ever done at home. If only his parents could see him, fighting for a good cause in a strange land among distinguished people, and while he hadn’t won yet, he was absolutely ready for the final push. Would they change their minds about him? Sit him down between them and praise him? For once look into his eyes that shone with devotion to them?”

Karl’s desire to gain his parents’ approval is emphasized by these rhetorical questions, which show why his parents’ disappointment—and his exile—are so upsetting. Karl is child-like by nature and wishes to receive not only praise, but affection. This serves as a reminder that Karl is extremely inexperienced in worldly matters.

“[T]he parents, to avoid scandal and paying maintenance, had their son, my dear nephew, transported to America with, as you may see, lamentably inadequate provision—thus leaving the boy, saving those miracles that still happen from time to time and particularly here in America, entirely to his own devices, so that he might easily have met his death in some dockside alleyway on his arrival, had not the maid written to me, which letter, after lengthy detours, came into my possession only the day before yesterday...”

Karl’s uncle, Edward Jakob, embarrasses him by disclosing the reason for his exile to a crowd. Karl hid this fact from the stoker when they first met and is surprised that the crowd doesn’t seem to care. This is an example of Karl’s expectations regarding people’s behavior and reactions being off. Jakob also discloses that Karl’s parents wanted their son gone because they could not support his illegitimate child. This reveals that Karl’s family is not particularly wealthy.