Effi's Creative Frustration
Trickery. Taboos. Punishments. All are common and frequent in the unfortunate history of female characters and protagonists. Eve bites the forbidden apple and forces mankind out of the Garden of Eden. Hester Prynne commits adultery and, marked forever by the brazen scarlet letter on her bosom, is shunned by her community. It then comes to no surprise that Effi Briest, the ambitious wife of a successful baron, is ostracized after her youthful affair in the novel Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane. While justifications for the former women's actions are convoluted and debatable, Effi Briest's reason for her infidelity is clear and straight forward: the suppression of imagination. Upper-middle class women of Imperial Germany were constantly constrained by social expectations and cultural standards. Creativity was not encouraged or fostered. Without an outlet, Effi of course jumps at the chance to interrupt the monotonous, boring hours of her lonely marriage with the dangerous dreams of a higher romance.
On the surface, it may be difficult to understand why Effi risks her 'perfect' marriage for an affair with Major Crampas. The novel begins with admiration for the distinguished Baron von Innstetten, whom Effi quickly marries, and continues to shower with high praise. Innstetten is “very dashing” (9) and the “Bismark thinks highly of him, and the Kaiser too,” (9). Her beau is not only good looking, but extremely respected and raising on the social ladder. For an aristocrat such as Effi, Innstetten fits the mold of an ideal husband. The young 17-year-old is truly living like a “princess” (42), with “something to spoil [her] wherever [she] look[s]” (37). After their honeymoon and experiencing his comfortable lifestyle, Effi “[realizes] what a distinguished marriage [she has] made,” (40). Inarguably, Effi has made the best and most strategic choice