‘The Trenchcoat’ by Norman Manae, a part of the collection “Compulsory Happiness,” is set in Bucharest during the stirring history of the haunting truths of Romania’s last years under communist rule. At first, I thought the novel was one of the most peculiar, vague pieces of literature I had ever read. I do not think that that opinion might have changed after listening to the lecture, but a lot of things in the novel now make sense. Through the lens of an unassuming, mysterious item—a raincoat, trench coat, or overcoat—the story unfolds in a landscape marked by monotony, surveillance, and the nuanced struggle for identity and autonomy against the backdrop of a dictatorial regime. Manea’s work, especially the complex, interactive interplay of power, boredom, and the presence of the state’s watchful eyes, offers a compelling exploration of life under a repressive government, where even the most mundane objects become symbols of resistance, conformity, or despair.
The novella follows two couples en route to a dinner hosted by another more formal and wealthy couple, their anticipation is tinged more with anxiety and disinterest than excitement, despite the privileges and luxury awaiting them. The scene later cuts to the next day, when an unexpected appearance of a trenchcoat at the guests’ house plungs the story into a maze that culminates in surprising and shocking discoveries. Thus, in the narrative, the trenchcoat transcends its ordinary role. While typically a commonplace item, within the novel, it becomes a beacon of mystery and intrigue.
To be honest, the novel left me hanging. I spent a lot of time on this piece of literature, and I feel like I just ran through the novel because of how confused it left me. However, I do want to talk about what the raincoat means to me. Much like raincoats, which serve the purpose of protection against the rain, kind of like a cover to protect oneself. The raincoat in this novel unfolds symbolically, a myriad of mysteries in the context of Dina and Brazil’s lives. One of which might be that their wealth and status afford them a protective layer, much like the raincoat, against the systemic oppressions and scarcity that plague their country. However, the symbolism of the raincoat in relation to Dina and Brazil extends far beyond a mere shield from physical elements; it represents the nuanced ways in which the elite navigate the treacherous waters of political and social conformity to maintain their position and safety. For example, Comrade Vasile uses his house as a means to hold certain kinds of confidential meetings.
Nonetheless, it is genuinely astonishing how the author expertly navigated the limits of censorship to offer a vivid portrait of life under a dictatorial regime, emphasizing the intricacies of state surveillance. Initially, the unusual writing style appeared to me as strange, but it perfectly depicts the complexity and subtleties of an oppressive system.
Question: What is the significance behind the nameless character, the Learned One, The Kid, etc., being shrouded in such mystery, and how does this contribute to the narrative, especially considering his eventual connection with Lady Di?
“Initially, the unusual writing style appeared to me as strange, but it perfectly depicts the complexity and subtleties of an oppressive system.” In the defamiliarization of objects within that oppressive environment, words mark their distance from things. What remains are the rituals, which can range from waiting in line to get food or ways to socialize in a house. In this sense, it seems to me that the episode at the gas station is very significant. Proper names (it is not the same to be called a simple reporter as a member of the army) open or close doors in an almost magical way.
Hell Katya, great blog post. I found this reading to be super confusing as well, in a methodical way. I think that leaving the character nameless is just yet another layer of mystery. Bugged my mind the whole time.
Hi Katya, I love how aesthetic your post is! I’m the same as you in the way the novella struck me as confused. I think the nameless characters add animosity to the “people who don’t want to be named”. Although themes of paranoia and fear are not obvious and “in your face”, it is clear that the tension and mistrust in a lot of the dialogue between the characters connote they fear “something”. That “something” is referring to someone “watching them”, as in the political surveillance of the communist regime at the time. People want to remain nameless so as to not draw attention to themselves. Or maybe that’s just me. Paranoia from being watched does crazy things to the human psyche, don’t you think?
Hi Katya, I love your take on what you think the raincoat symbolizes, as I could not find a meaningful interpretation of it myself. I do think that the nameless characters in the book alongside with the enigma behind the meaning of the treantcoat is intentional because the author wants us to think about its subjectivity, perhaps have our own story in mind.
I’m not sure about the significance of the learned one, but I sure found him sketchy. I thought for sure he was the one to leave the coat at the dinner party, or perhaps he was a spy of the government to further surveillance the wealthy living within the country. Either way, I found his character intriguing, and while reading I was constantly looking for some sort of clue as to his significance.
Hello Katya,
I think the main purpose behind not disclosing the true names of these characters is to add another layer of mystery and uncertainty. There is already so much of this uncertainty in the story, which I think is meant to represent the unpredictability/uneasiness of that time in Romania. “The Learned One” is also an interesting choice. It almost suggests that they are superior or at least more knowledgeable than the others.
-Nathan Harris
Hey Katya,
I have no idea why the other character is constantly being referred to as these cryptic nicknames, my only guess is that it’s to add a layer of confusion to the narrative and bring the themes of systematic confusion and obfuscation down to the personal and then to the reader? but great questions and musings