Assignment # 5 The Blue Angel

Leanorah Smickle


1. "It's All a Swindle" (Alles Schwindel), by Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer (1931)

Papa swindles
Mama swindles
Grandmama's a lying thief
We're perfectly shameless
but we're blameless
after all it's our belief
Nowadays the world is rotten honesty has been forgotten
fall in love but after kissing --
checking your purse to se what's missing
Everyone swindles some
my son's a mooch and so's the pooch


Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer, “Alles Schwindel” (1931). Performed and recorded by Ute Lemper, Berlin Cabaret Songs  (Decca 1996).

Papa schwindelt,
Mama schwindelt,
tut sie auf blob ihren Mund!
Tante Otilie,
und die Familie
und sogar der kleine Hund!
Und besiet man's aus der Nahe:
Jedes Band und jede Ehe
jeder Kub in dern Betriebe
und sogardie grode Liebe!
Und die ganze heut'ge Zeit ja,
sogar die Ehrlichkeit!

     My interpretation of "It's all a Swindle" is a true indication of life in our modern society. It highlight the facts that everyone does what they have to do in order to get by without feeling guilty or expressing remorse about our actions. As individuals we are not totally blameless, we are all responsible for our actions and behavior. Everyone is vulnerable, no-one respects his/her self any more and there is no respectable courting. I believe individual values and beliefs should be our guide in life; however because of the standards and expectations of society all honesty are forgotten and no-one can be trusted not even our own family members.


2. "Night Ghost" (Nachtgespenst), music by Rudolf Nelson, lyrics by Friedrich Hollaender (1930)


When I climb through the window,
I have no interest in taking your jewels,
Only your ivory skin appeals to me.
As a night ghost I don’t take any shiny jewels;
only enough for the return fare.


Rudolf Nelson and Friedrich Hollaender, “Das Nachtgespenst” (1930).

Steig ich durchs Fenster ein, reizt micht kein Edelstein.

Nein, nur dein Elfenbein reizt mich allein.
Ich nehm als Nachtgespenst kein Steuckchen mit, was glaenzt.
Ich brauch wirklich nur das Fahrtgeld retour.

     My interpretation of "Night Ghost" by Rudolf Nelson highlights the actions and behavior of some people as they perform their daily task, whether openly or secretively. It represent the many means used to achieve what we want. Some knowledge are gained from teachers, some from parents and some from friends. As a growing modern day society each individual have their goals and are willing to work towards them. Unfortunately there are occasions when what the other person have or own appears more appealing to the next person and they take the risk of trying to take the other person's property without their permission.


Paragraph 175 : Weimar Society

      Throughout the world there are several documentation on class separation among different groups of people, however the rigid class separation within the German society influenced the beginning of the first world war. Several aristocrats living in Germany viewed themselves superior of the middle and working class citizens as it enabled and preserved their social and monetary status. Ironically the middle and working class viewed themselves superior to factory workers. The middle and working class felt it necessary to protect their status and maintain unity among each other. It is also highlighted how the middle and working class aspired to implement social equality, address gender and different sexual orientation, marrige and divorce laws, and issues of morality. Change among the citizens were faced by many obstacles and remain prominent that continues in our modern day society.
     At the same time the lecture on The Blue Angel address separation among individuals of different classes, importance of values and morals, and survival of the strongest. Professor Rath was viewed as a person of authority mainly because of his profession, however he could also be viewed as a weaker individual because of his weakness for Lola's love; she obviously had something he wanted (her love). Rath looses his job and proposes marriage to Lola who accepted, knowing he would not be able to provide for her and that soon her free spirit and interaction with other men would become problems for Rath. He accepted the position of a clown to be close to Lola, but he soon became subservient to her and appeared as a broken man in behavior and attire. In the end he suffers a mental breakdown, attacks Lola, and is found dead at his old school's desk.
     Another example of superiority was also noted among the students, most of them bullied another student that was viewed as weak and a traitor. These examples of social weakness and inequalities remain prominent in today's society. Individuals that do not confirm to the expectations of society are often ridiculed and attract attention from violent individuals. Most individuals are also judged by their appearance and how they carry themselves. Many conflicts exist within society and different groups of people. Values, beliefs and morals are often debated and are viewed as issues of conflict. The Blue Angel depicts the influence of love and control. It reminds us that issues of the past are still issues of the future; wealthy individuals still view themselves superior to middle class and working individuals. Lola was portrayed as a strong free spirited individual with the right to make decisions for herself and her future.

Primary Sources: Weimar Society/weimar-facinghistory.org
http://weimar.facinghistory.org/content/society