The Old Room

"The Old Room" by Carl Ewald is a story that occurs in the early 1900's. This novel is centered around Cordt and Fru Adelheid, a husband and wife, and the hidden emotions and events that take place in a fancy room located within their home. It shines a light on the difficult parts of marriage, like love, being faithful, and what society expects from people, while showing how wanting your own way can cause problems in relationships. The story begins by showing the reader the special, private room that Cordt and Adelheid share. The existence of this room helps create a feeling of looking inward, as the reader can see there are already issues in the marriage having to do with love, trust, and how they see their place in the world. As they get ready to go out for the night, disagreements develop between them, reflecting the struggle between wanting freedom and the security of being with someone. The rich details used to describe the old room point to its importance as a real place and as a symbol of Cordt and Adelheid's hidden problems and the difficulties of living in a world where old ways are challenged.