The Tragic End

Traces the final events leading to Nathaniel's death and Clara's survival.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Recovery at home

The Return to Sanity The Caring Family Nathaniel woke in his old room, surrounded by his mother, Clara, and Lothar. He was gentle and childlike, grateful for Clara's love. He recognized her pure spirit. The Forgotten Past No one mentioned the recent events. Nathaniel seemed cured. Plans were made to move to a small country estate with a fortune inherited from an uncle. The False Peace Nathaniel appeared happy, but the trauma remained buried. Siegmund visited and Nathaniel thanked him, but avoided discussing the madness.

The tower climb

The Impulse The Walk Nathaniel, Clara, Lothar, and their mother went shopping in the market square. Clara suggested they climb the town hall tower to see the distant mountains. The Ascent Nathaniel and Clara climbed together. Lothar stayed below. At the top, they stood arm in arm, looking at the landscape. The Trigger Clara pointed out a strange grey bush. Nathaniel mechanically took out Coppola's looking-glass and looked at Clara through it. The sight of her through the glass triggered his madness.

Attempted murder

The Madness Returns The Attack Nathaniel's eyes rolled wildly. He screamed 'Turn, little wooden doll, turn!' and grabbed Clara, trying to throw her off the balcony. She clung to the railing, crying for help. The Rescue Lothar heard the screams and broke down two locked doors. He reached the gallery just in time, pulled Clara to safety, and punched Nathaniel, causing him to release her. The Saved and the Lost Clara was saved, unconscious. Lothar carried her down. Nathaniel continued to rave on the tower, jumping and shouting about the ring of fire.

Suicide leap

The Final Act The Crowd A crowd gathered, including Coppelius, who had just arrived. Some people tried to climb the tower to capture Nathaniel, but Coppelius laughed and said he would come down on his own. The Leap Nathaniel stopped raving, leaned over the parapet, and saw Coppelius. He screamed 'Eyes a pretty!' and jumped. His skull smashed on the cobblestones. The Disappearance Coppelius vanished into the crowd. Nathaniel's body lay broken. His tragic fate was fulfilled.

Clara's later life

The Quiet Domestic Bliss The New Life In a distant town, Clara was seen sitting hand in hand with a friendly man before a lovely country house. Two bouncing boys played at her feet. The Implication It is supposed that Clara found the quiet domestic happiness that suited her cheerful spirit, a happiness that the troubled Nathaniel could never have given her. The Closure Clara's fate offers a contrast to Nathaniel's tragedy. She survived and thrived, embodying the prosaic but resilient spirit that Nathaniel had scorned.

After Nathaniel's release from the madhouse, in his father's house

Midday, shortly before the planned move to the country estate

Immediately after, on the tower gallery

Minutes after the attack, as the crowd gathered below

Years after Nathaniel's death