Creditors

In a parlor adjoined to a room in a seaside resort hotel, Adolph, an artist, is sculpting a small nude female figure. He is joined by his new friend, Gustav, who has been staying at the hotel for a week, fortuitously just as Adolph’s wife has been away. He has encouraged Adolph to turn his back on life’s work as a painter and pursue sculpture instead. Adolph initially struggled to cope while Tekla was away and has relied upon Gustav heavily. He is passionately in love with his wife and his world revolves around her, although he admits that they frequently clash with their ideas as Tekla is fiercely independent. Adolph credits his wife, Tekla, for educating him, acknowledging that he was a “child of an artist” when they first met. He allows Tekla greater freedom than is perhaps customary for this time period, but he is satisfied that he trusts his wife completely. However, as he talks to Gustav about his marriage, he starts to question the stability and happiness of his marriage.