Reality

The author contends that all mankind are sleepwalkers, and sets out to present characters from every walk of life and purpose who are aimless and lost in their own egos and thoughts. Each character is drawn and outlined, and as the reader becomes familiar with their traits, each character loses its way in the plot and becomes a sleepwalker.

Joachim leaves the reality of his love for Ruzena and slips peacefully into a loveless and mindless marriage. When seen again in Part Three, Joachim is older, but no wiser, and has begun mixing his dream life with the reality of a wartime town.

Esch is active and vibrant in the beginning of Part Two, a man determined to set the world right. He has dreams of success and emigrating to America. He dabbles in the theatre, but begins to lose his way when he meets Eduard von Bertrand...