Well, doctor, I would say it's a nervous breakdown.The Shop Around the Corner · 1940 — Chapter 13 of 19 · 4'13" · C1
Matuschek Confesses His Jealousy, Explained: kept in strictest confidence
Matuschek accuses Kralik of an affair with his wife, then admits the truth: an anonymous letter planted the idea, and his own jealousy did the rest. "That's how far jealousy can drive a man," he says, before handing Kralik the keys to the shop.
What happens
At Matuschek's home, the shaken owner tells Kralik that an anonymous letter claimed his wife was having a secret rendezvous with an employee. He admits he suspected Kralik, then hands him the keys to Matuschek and Company and has Vadas quietly dismissed. Pepi, who saved Matuschek's life, talks his way into a clerk's job.
Listen for
kept in strictest confidenceget into a man's mindtalk something over with someonein other words
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Phrase of the scene
kept in strictest confidence
kept completely secret
老板在自家客厅把匿名信的事告诉克拉利克，叮嘱他这件事只能在极小的圈子里知道，一个字都不能漏出去。
Everything you tell me will be kept in strictest confidence.
Also in this scene
- get into a man's mind
to take hold of someone's thoughts and poison them
- talk something over with someone
to discuss something before deciding
- in other words
换句话说、也就是说
Everything marked in this scene
28 notes across 69 lines
Precisely what position do you hold with Matuschek and Company?Well, uh, I would describe myself as a contact man.Doctor, did I call you a pill-peddler?It was a terrible shock.Well, I have to get over it.flap
Well, I have to get over it.kept completely secret
Now this whole thing must be kept in strictest confidence.What I told you over the telephone is between the three of us. Me, Mr. Matuschek, and you. Here.I might take it easier and maybe by Christmas make you manager of the shop.might for a tentative promise
I might take it easier and maybe by Christmas make you manager of the shop.Would you care to work for me again?Don't even think about it, sir.liaison
Don't even think about it, sir.I-I couldn't stand your presence anymore.Well, you see, you were the only one of my employees who had been to my home and you sent my wife flowers -relative clause with who
Well, you see, you were the only one of my employees who had been to my home and you sent my wife flowers -to take hold of someone's thoughts and poison them
I.. But when that poison gets into a man's mind, it's-it's..I want him dismissed as quietly as possible.want with an object and past participle
I want him dismissed as quietly as possible.We won't lower ourselves.And this is going to be the biggest Christmas in the history of Matuschek and Company.be going to for the near future
And this is going to be the biggest Christmas in the history of Matuschek and Company.to discuss something before deciding
Well, sir, I'll talk it over with myself and if I don't ask for too much money I'll give it to myself. Thank you, sir.I'm still nothing but an errand boy at Matuschek and Company.In other words, you'd like to be a clerk, huh?liaison
In other words, you'd like to be a clerk, huh?I wouldn't put it that brutally.Matuschek Confesses His Jealousy, explained
What's really going on
The scene is a proud man taking apart his own mistake in front of the employee he wronged. He confesses that the jealousy started as a joke — he laughed at the anonymous letter — and then took over: "That's how far jealousy can drive a man." The letter only said an employee; what turned suspicion into certainty was Kralik being the one who had visited the house and sent flowers. He offers Kralik the business as both apology and surrender, and even the order about Vadas ("as quietly as possible") shows a man protecting the last of his dignity. Kralik barely argues; he simply accepts the keys, which is its own kind of forgiveness.
Theme
TrustA single anonymous letter turns a trusted employee into a suspect, and it takes a confession to rebuild what was lost.
GuiltMatuschek admits he hated Kralik and destroys the suspicion he created, then hands over the shop as reparation.
What you'll learn
- Use get over it for emotional recovery.
- Soften workload changes with take it easier.
- Use give someone a raise for salary increases.
- Catch jealousy as a force that drives people.
Listen for
- get over it — flap
- even think about it — liaison
- In other words — liaison
That's how far jealousy can drive a man.The moral being drawn from a personal collapse: jealousy pushed a man to distrust, hate, and nearly destroy a loyal employee. Said as an admission, not an excuse.
And this is going to be the biggest Christmas in the history of Matuschek and Company.A vow to rebuild the business after the scandal — part defiance, part hope, and a way to turn a private disaster into a public success.
Well, sir, I'll talk it over with myself and if I don't ask for too much money I'll give it to myself. Thank you, sir.A joke about a new promotion: as the boss, he'd have to negotiate his raise with himself. The film's dry way of showing the power has changed hands.
Well, I have to get over it.A quiet acceptance of a shock: no time to dwell, just move on. A small line that sets up a character's return to the shop.
Questions about this scene
Why did Matuschek suspect Kralik?
An anonymous letter claimed his wife was having a secret rendezvous with an employee. Kralik was the only employee who had been to the house and had sent his wife flowers, so he became the obvious suspect.
Is Kralik actually guilty?
No. He sent the flowers for innocent reasons, and the affair was between Matuschek's wife and Vadas. Matuschek realizes his mistake and hands Kralik the shop instead of firing him.
Why does Matuschek give Kralik the shop?
As an apology for the false accusation and because he is stepping back after his breakdown. He had once promised Kralik the manager's job if things went well, and now he keeps that promise.
What happens to Vadas?
He is dismissed as quietly as possible, with no scandal and no direct confrontation. The owner refuses to lower himself by bringing the affair up to his face.
Who saved Matuschek's life?
Pepi, the errand boy. After saving the owner's life — "you saved my life," he's told — Pepi talks his way up from errand boy to clerk by the end of the scene.
The Shop Around the Corner · 19 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 14a yes manKralik Fires Vadas
Chapter 1make something out of nothingMorning Gossip at Matuschek's
Chapter 2earn one's daily breadThe Anonymous Letter From Box 237
Chapter 3make up your mindMatuschek's Singing Cigarette Box
Chapter 4go through the whole routineA Job Seeker's Sales Pitch
Chapter 5have a weakness forSelling the Musical Candy Box
Chapter 6knock on woodKralik Reveals His Pen Pal
Chapter 7pick on someoneMatuschek Turns on Kralik
Chapter 8call it a dayKlara Asks Kralik for a Night Off
Chapter 9of one's own accordMatuschek Fires Kralik
Chapter 10mind your own businessMatuschek Learns of the Affair
Chapter 11had enough bad news for todayKralik's Blind Date Is Miss Novak
Chapter 12instead of a heart, a handbagKralik and Novak Meet at the Cafe
Watching · Chapter 13kept in strictest confidenceMatuschek Confesses His Jealousy
Chapter 14a yes manKralik Fires Vadas
Chapter 15not in the same planetKralik Visits a Sick Klara
Chapter 16ruin ChristmasThe Staff Choose Christmas Gifts
Chapter 17from the bottom of my heartMatuschek Returns on Christmas Eve
Chapter 18your whole life ahead of youMatuschek Invites a Lonely Boy Home
Chapter 19swept me off my feetKlara Confesses to KralikChapter 13 of 19 · about 27 min to go