The story open with the child reading because the first picture that is presented to us is one of a happy

family where everything works the way it is meant to be. The reader quickly learns that what appears to be perfect is truly far from it and that the parents marriage is far from ideal. The child is also important because it is possibly the reason the husband and wife remain married and faithful to each other. The Prince, like the child, seems to be alone. In general, a Prince is a character whose life is full of wonders and joy. Like the child, who seems to have a happy life, the Prince is in reality troubled by something he may not understand. (I might have let my imagination fly in my interpretation). Carnival season refers to a time of joy and party. Having masks allow people to step away from their roles in society and pretend to be something they are not. Sometimes simply for the fun of it but sometimes in order to express or do something their daily self would not be able to do. Masks are a way of hiding who we are and are often metaphorical; Masks do not always need to be physical, they can be anything from an attitude to a simple smile. When the husband leaves as if everything during the last hour had been completely forgotten he is putting on the mask he wears in society, The first section of Dream Story by Schnitzler talks about a husband and wife, Fridolin and Albertina, who at first seem to have a happy marriage. We quickly learn that in reality, both characters have toyed with infidelity although neither has necessarily been unfaithful. Fridolin, the governor, tells his wife about a girl he almost had an affair with in Denmark. Albertina responds with a story about how she almost left him for another man when they were engaged. A third character is also in the scene; their child, whose importance is yet to be discovered. --1. Not included 2. Does the opportunity create the sinner? In the previous chapter, we saw how Fridolin had been indirectly tempted to infidelity in Denmark and in the masquerade. However, in this chapter, he is explicitly presented with the opportunity to take advantage of a woman who is vulnerable. Fridolin abstains himself. But is it because he is not attracted to the woman? or is it because he feel pity for her? Chapter two tells the story of how Fridolin arrives to the councillors house just to find that he is too late. Inside, he is received by Marianne, the councillors daughter who confesses her love for the doctor. Fridolin is not taken by surprise and almost ignores the woman, thinking to himself that she is probably suffering from hysteria. The chapter ends after the rest of the councillors family arrives and Fridolin is escorted to the door. 3. What is the line that defines infidelity? Fridolin exits the house and begins to wonder down the streets of Vienna. In his stroll he stumbles with a group of boys form a fraternity that remind him of his times as a student. His steps guide him to a part of town with prostitutes. Seeing them reminds him of a time when, when he studied in the Gymnasium. He then goes home with a seventeen year old girl. Fridolin decides to refuses the girl after she has already undressed and is sitting on top of him. He politely excuses himself and exits the door. If Fridolin went to a prostitute's house, saw her naked and kissed her, was he still unfaithful? Even if he did not sleep with the woman? 4. What can make a mans life crumble?

Throughout this chapter we see in Fridolin a set of ideas that reflect his carelessness for the world. In more than one occasion he says that his life does not matter to him and he is willing to do many things simply for the sake of doing them. Fridolin runs into an old friend named Nachtigall. Nachtigall tells Fridolin about a party at which he is going to be playing and hints that Fridolin should join. He also says that there is great danger in joining because its guests are selective and form part of some sort of society. Fridolin, with great excitement, creates a plan to find a costume and enter the party. He finds a costume by renting one from a shop owner who seemed to have trouble with his daughter. Fridolin leaves the man and his girl but makes a mental note to visit them in the morning. At the party, Fridolin is warned by a woman that he should leave before it is too late. By this point, the ambient of the party has changed and all the woman (still wearing masks) undress themselves. After Fridolin is warned again to leave, he is caught as an intruder and is forced to take his mask off. However, before he takes it off, the mysterious woman offers herself in the place of Fridolin. Fridolin, untouched, is then escorted and taken to the outside of the city. The chapter ends when Fridolin takes a carriage to his home. 5. Is there a real, non physical connection between a husband and wife? Chapter five describes how Fridolin wakes up Albertine. Albertine tells Fridolin about a dream she had in which she was the lover of her Danish man. During the dream, Fridolin stays faithful to Albertine; even in the face of death. It is interesting to note that Fridolins behaviour in the dream is almost opposite as his behaviour in real life. 6. Is it curiosity or is it guilt that which drives Fridolin to pursue his investigation? As the morning comes, Fridolin starts his day pretending that nothing out of the ordinary has occured. However, he organizes his time so he can freely investigate the matters of the previous night. He first returns his monk costume and he finds out that the shop owner has used his daughter for money. Fridolin decided that it is not his problem and continues on to look for his friend Nachtigall. Nachtigall is nowhere to be found because the night before two men had escorted him to the train station, possibly forcing him to leave town. Fridolin, fueled by curiosity decided to go to the house where everything had happened last night. As he arrives, he is given a letter where he is warned to stay away and stop his investigations. Although the doctor is now afraid, he decides to continue investigating because he finds out that the prostitute he had visited the night before might have been his saviour. He also hears about a woman who had apparently committed suicide in a hotel room booked under a different name. Fridolin uses his right as a doctor to see the body only to realize the he has no idea if the dead girl is who he thinks she is. 7. What does it mean to forget? In the last chapter of the story Fridolin enter his room just to find the mask he had used the day before next to his sleeping wife. In despair, he decides to tell Albertine everything that had happened the last two days. Albertine looks at this husband, forgives him and they hold each other until the morning came.