NarrativeThe narrative structure within ‘The Reader’ is distinct. It seems that a middle-aged Michael has flash backs of his relationship with Hanna when he was a young boy, which are intertwined with his present life. The controversial theme of perversion, also expressed in Hard Candy, seems a lot easier to discuss in this sense, with the couple being an older woman and a younger boy. The audience is still inclined to view the relationship as wrong, but in a different way than if it was an older man and a young girl, like in Hard Candy - somehow it seems less perverse. The structural organisation of the film allows the audience to approve of Michael and Hanna’s relationship for a time, not disclosing until later in the film that she was part of The SS. Later in the film, at Hanna’s trial, she is accused of allowing the deaths of 300 Jews and writing a report. It becomes apparent to Michael that Hanna is illiterate, and would rather confess to the crime (which it obvious she did not commit) than damage her pride. While she is in prison, Michael sends her tapes of books so she can learn to read and write. The film is very much a coming of age story, and shows how many generations have been effected by the crimes of the Nazis.
Genre
‘The Reader’ is a post-war drama, centring on the affair between a middle-aged woman, Hanna Schmitz, and a teenage boy, Michael Berg, and how the experience affected their lives. Throughout Michael’s life he is infatuated with Hanna, but also angry that she abandoned him. This climactic drama has highs and lows within the narrative, as well as easily relatable characters with clear views and a plot enhancing realisation at the end, therefore adhering to the conventions of a drama.
Individual Interpretations and Position
Although the narrative of the film is a quite specific and farfetched, there are universal themes of romance, lust and heartbreak which can be interpreted. This allows an audience member, regardless of race, gender or age to find some part of the film easy to relate to.
