Tante and Delphine Contest the Boys’ Future

The Master Butchers Singing Club

Tante’s authority over the boys challenges Delphine’s caregiving role and Fidelis’s ability to keep his family together.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Tante’s Arrival Tante’s Arrival from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Sister Takes Charge Authority enters the household Tante Maria Theresa comes forward as Fidelis’s surviving close relative and an apparent guardian for the…

Tante’s Arrival from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Sister Takes Charge Authority enters the household Tante Maria Theresa comes forward as Fidelis’s surviving close relative and an apparent guardian for the…

A Sister Takes Charge Authority enters the household Tante Maria Theresa comes forward as Fidelis’s surviving close relative and an apparent guardian for the boys. Delphine’s place is contested Delphine is already caring for the family, but Tante treats her as an intruder. Their incompatible ideas of duty create a household conflict.

Eva’s Morphine Disappears Eva’s Morphine Disappears from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". Care Becomes a Power Struggle Relief is withheld Tante takes Eva’s morphine, believing that pain relief means addiction and disgrace.

Eva’s Morphine Disappears from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". Care Becomes a Power Struggle Relief is withheld Tante takes Eva’s morphine, believing that pain relief means addiction and disgrace.

Care Becomes a Power Struggle Relief is withheld Tante takes Eva’s morphine, believing that pain relief means addiction and disgrace. Delphine discovers the theft when Eva’s agony returns. Delphine intervenes Unable to persuade Tante, Delphine forces her to accompany her back to Eva’s bedside. The conflict exposes how moral judgment can become cruelty.

Markus Runs Away Markus Runs Away from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Boy Seeks Safety Abuse at home Tante’s discipline and household rules make Markus afraid and unhappy. He leaves and goes to Delphine’s home.

Markus Runs Away from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Boy Seeks Safety Abuse at home Tante’s discipline and household rules make Markus afraid and unhappy. He leaves and goes to Delphine’s home.

A Boy Seeks Safety Abuse at home Tante’s discipline and household rules make Markus afraid and unhappy. He leaves and goes to Delphine’s home. Delphine keeps him Delphine conceals him, feeds him, and teaches him skills that may protect him. His choice makes her care for him unmistakably familial.

The Germany Plan The Germany Plan from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Proposed Separation Tante persuades Fidelis Tante plans to take the younger boys to Germany, promising help from their grandmother and better conditions.

The Germany Plan from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". A Proposed Separation Tante persuades Fidelis Tante plans to take the younger boys to Germany, promising help from their grandmother and better conditions.

A Proposed Separation Tante persuades Fidelis Tante plans to take the younger boys to Germany, promising help from their grandmother and better conditions. Delphine argues back Delphine warns that distance and political uncertainty could keep the boys away. She asks Fidelis to leave Markus with her.

Fidelis Chooses Delphine Fidelis Chooses Delphine from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". The Family’s Direction Changes A child remains Markus’s fever prevents his departure with the twins. Fidelis and Delphine return to Argus with him.

Fidelis Chooses Delphine from "The Master Butchers Singing Club". The Family’s Direction Changes A child remains Markus’s fever prevents his departure with the twins. Fidelis and Delphine return to Argus with him.

The Family’s Direction Changes A child remains Markus’s fever prevents his departure with the twins. Fidelis and Delphine return to Argus with him. A new agreement Fidelis later expels Tante and asks Delphine to help run the household again. The conflict shifts from rivalry to a partnership built around the boys’ needs.

After Eva’s illness becomes terminal

Near the end of Eva’s life

After Eva’s funeral

During the family’s Chicago trip

After Markus falls ill in Chicago