Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life
In order to become a servant, Jakob goes to the Institute Benjamenta, which is administered by the Benjamenta siblings, Johannes and Lisa. He is one of seven other males who study ludicrous teachings taught by Lisa, which include drawing circles, practicing movement, and being subservient. He requests to be moved to a nicer room. There are no new students who enroll, and none of the current ones depart to look for work. Johannes is miserable, insistent, and uninvolved in the day-to-day operations of the school. Lisa is stunning, and while she initially maintains a high level of control over her emotions, she is now on the point of breaking down. A fragrance of incest can be detected. Lisa seems to have the same effect on Jakob as she does on him. She goes into a catatonic state as the winter progresses. Things continue to deteriorate, and Johannes points out that all of this has occurred since Jakob arrived. Is there any connection between the two?
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In order to become a servant, Jakob goes to the Institute Benjamenta, which is administered by the Benjamenta siblings, Johannes and Lisa. He is one of seven other males who study ludicrous teachings taught by Lisa, which include drawing circles, practicing movement, and being subservient. He requests to be moved to a nicer room. There are no new students who enroll, and none of the current ones depart to look for work. Johannes is miserable, insistent, and uninvolved in the day-to-day operations of the school. Lisa is stunning, and while she initially maintains a high level of control over her emotions, she is now on the point of breaking down. A fragrance of incest can be detected. Lisa seems to have the same effect on Jakob as she does on him. She goes into a catatonic state as the winter progresses. Things continue to deteriorate, and Johannes points out that all of this has occurred since Jakob arrived. Is there any connection between the two?
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