“That's how far jealousy can drive a man.”
Por qué es buena
A single line that explains cruelty away as the work of jealousy, half apology and half excuse.
Registro
Neutral
Úsala tú
That is how far anger can drive an honest person.
00:00 / 04:13
00:00 / 04:13
Matuschek Confesses His Jealousy, Explained
The Shop Around the Corner · 1940
Capítulo 13 de 19 · 4'13"
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.
Key moments
Start here, then watch the full scene- 3:19–4:09
Pepi Becomes a Clerk
51s
Matuschek Confesses His Jealousy, explained
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.
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.
Key lines & what they mean
- “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.
Theme
- Trust — A single anonymous letter turns a trusted employee into a suspect, and it takes a confession to rebuild what was lost.
- Guilt — Matuschek admits he hated Kralik and destroys the suspicion he created, then hands over the shop as reparation.
Qué aprendes en este capítulo
Puntos de enseñanza
Repasa justo después de verMi nivel0/4
A1–C2 es la escala MCER. Las tarjetas por encima del nivel elegido se atenúan y la reproducción no se pausa en ellas.
Puntos de lengua
Toca una tarjeta para saltar a ese momentoFrases de oro
Una gran frase en sí misma: por qué y cómo usarla“And this is going to be the biggest Christmas in the history of Matuschek and Company.”
Por qué es buena
A big, almost reckless promise that turns a low point into a banner season.
Registro
Informal
Úsala tú
This is going to be the biggest sale in the history of the store.
“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.”
Por qué es buena
A dry, perfectly polite joke built by turning a formal phrase back on the speaker.
Registro
Informal
Úsala tú
I will talk it over with myself and decide whether I deserve it.
“Well, I have to get over it.”
Por qué es buena
A plain statement of resilience: no complaint, just the decision to move past it.
Registro
Neutral
Úsala tú
The project failed, but I have to get over it and start again.
Siguiente · 14a yes manLa escena: Kralik Fires VadasIdeas clave
Lo que te llevas- 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.
Preguntas frecuentes
La pregunta, luego la fraseWhy 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.