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• The Last Days of Immanuel Kant : SCENE ONE , SCENE TWO , SCENE THREE

The Last Days of Immanuel Kant, translated by Gwynneth Dowling

SCENE ONE

Context:

Professor Wasianski has hired Teresa to look after Kant. She does not, in his opinion, display the right amount of respect for his friend.

Sample text

TERESA:

I’m assuming I’ve been hired to look after this old gentleman in his last days.

WASIANSKI: (Somewhat taken aback.)

You can’t talk about Kant like that. You’re talking about the Kant! Do you know who Kant is? How can you just say ‘this old gentleman’ like it’s nothing?

TERESA:

Isn’t he an old gentleman?

WASIANSKI:

He’s much more than that, madam.

TERESA:

I’ve heard him mentioned in town. With great respect, I suppose.

WASIANSKI:

Because of the work of this great master, the history of philosophy will evermore be studied in two parts: Before Kant and After Kant.

TERESA: (Rather indifferent.)

That’s somewhat extraordinary. But if we’re talking about an old man with all the problems that come with advanced years, I think I can do some interesting work. I also wanted to say something about music.

She turns towards the window. It is now raining very heavily.

TERESA:

I like to play the violin. Especially when it gets dark. I find it very necessary.

WASIANSKI:

Good God, this house is already hell … and has been for some time.

TERESA:

My violin’s got nothing to do with hell. (Wind, more rain.) What an awful winter. I hope spring’s not too far away.

WASIANSKI: (Makes his doll walk on its own across the room.)

What do you think of this?

TERESA: (Firmly making up her mind.)

That’s pretty awful as well.

WASIANSKI:

Talking of Professor Kant, I must inform you of his present state. He’s going through a rather depressed stage. To the casual observer, he looks … how can I put it … very like someone with a weak mind. Let’s put it like that.

TERESA: (Very seriously.)

We’ll put it in any way you want, but I must warn you, I’m not a casual observer. I’ve got a few magnetic qualities that should relieve the suffering of the infirm.

WASIANSKI:

As for that, the Professor’s only infirmity is old age.

TERESA:

We don't all age in the same way.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation The Last Days of Immanuel Kant by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

SCENE TWO

Context:

During the night, Kant gets out of bed. A very drunk Lampe tries to tend to him. Kant finds it difficult to make coherent sentences.

Sample text

KANT:

… write for no ghosts.

This is what Lampe seems to have heard, because he replies:

LAMPE:

What do you mean ‘for no ghosts’?

KANT:

No ghosts … no see ghosts.

LAMPE:

Ah.

KANT: (Pointing at the pages on the table.)

Also important work … finish before dying but very little time already sick old man can’t finish work as important more than critique of pure reason great work for … posterity.

LAMPE: (Slightly mocking.)

Lampe to not understand nothing.

KANT:

Almost finished now a little polish need and work will be ready for printing almost finished, see, Lampe? Before dying a little polish and then it will be ready for printing, understand? Transition from the Metaphysics of Nature to the Physics. Huge, huge problem and my most important work. Transition from the Metaphysics …

LAME: (Kindly.)

You and your ideas. Come on then, let’s get you writing. What’s this? (He looks at a piece of paper.) You started this one letter yesterday – is it a K? – and you still haven’t finished it. At this rate … I don’t know. Hey! Don’t move from there. (He tries to sit KANT down but KANT falls on the ground again. Now, LAMPE decides to drag him towards the bed. He is doing so when TERESA appears, in nightdress and gown. LAMPE stands frozen to the spot.) Who are you?

TERESA:

You’re drunk. It’s a disgrace. What’s happening here?

LAMPE:

I’ll only talk to Professor Wasianski. I’m … He ignores KANT, who lies motionless on the floor. I’m … looking after Professor Kant.

TERESA: (She also does not seem particularly interested in KANT, although he tries to get their attention, moving his skinny arms, like an insect on its back.)

You’re drunk, Mr Lampe.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation The Last Days of Immanuel Kant by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

SCENE THREE

Context:

Wasianski waxes lyrical about Kant’s imminent death and the sadness that is to come. Teresa criticises him for what she sees as his melodramatic tone, noting that the play should not descend into melodrama. The characters discuss their lines and Hoffmann, in turn, alters his script.

Sample text

KANT:

Cold, still. Lots cold.

WASIANSKI:

Very cold, Professor?

KANT: (Laughing to himself.)

The cold.

WASIANSKI:

You’ve always liked to be well covered up, Professor.

KANT:

Hypothermia. (He laughs.)

WASIANSKI:

Cover his legs. Is that better?

TERESA:

It’s not going to do much. (She covers KANT’s legs. He now looks very nervous. TERESA turns to WASIANSKI.) What’s wrong with him now?

WASIANSKI:

He’s waiting for the coffee.

TERESA:

I see.

WASIANSKI:

He’s also waiting for the robin.

TERESA:

A bird.

WASIANSKI:

It comes, every year, to this window. And when it goes away again the Professor feels bad. This year, when the robin comes, the Professor won’t be here anymore. Just his ghost, wandering these rooms.

TERESA:

What a thing to say! In my opinion, we should be doing everything we can to stop this play descending into melodrama. Stop it, at the very least, descending into bad melodrama.

WASIANSKI: (As if suddenly aware of a situation above and beyond his status as mere character.)

We’ll do everything possible, yes. No doubt our author wants to have some success with the critics.

TERESA:

I’m not sure if he’s particularly worried about that … but, in any case … (Reflective silence.) It’s more for the sake of our own dignity.

WASIANSKI: (Taking her lesson on board.)

Okay, I understand. I understand. Let’s go on in the best way we can. Where were we?

HOFFMANN:

‘The Professor won’t be here anymore.’ But now he won’t say the thing about the ghost.

WASIANSKI:

This year, when the robin comes, the Professor won’t be here anymore.

TERESA: (Silence.)

It’s nice what you say about Professor Kant always having had so much love for birds.

WASIANSKI:

It’s true. (A little hurt.) I didn’t say it for melodramatic reasons.

TERESA:

Please, don’t go on about it.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation The Last Days of Immanuel Kant by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Entry written by Gwynneth Dowling. Last updated on 24 May 2011.

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