Character Relationship Map: The Postmaster

Characters

• Der Postmeister (played by Heinrich George) — protagonist

  An aging postmaster at a remote station and Dunja’s father, he speaks tenderly of her while believing she is dead. After learning that her life in Petersburg has not matched the hopeful picture in her...

• Dunja (played by Hilde Krahl) — supporting

  The postmaster’s daughter, Dunja leaves their lonely station for Petersburg after Minskij encourages her to seek a more dazzling life. She writes to her father that she is well, but later returns to t...

• Rittmeister Minskij (played by Siegfried Breuer) — supporting

  A cavalry captain who once visited the station and encouraged Dunja to leave for Petersburg, promising that her beauty and charm could give her a brighter life. When Dunja later visits him, he reacts...

• Fähnrich Mitja (played by Hans Holt) — supporting

  A young officer who knew Dunja as a child and shares in the postmaster’s grief when she is believed to be dead. He later arrives at a gathering and confronts Dunja, accusing her of deceiving both him...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Dunja → Rittmeister Minskij (Complicated Romantic Relationship) — Minskij encouraged Dunja's departure and later presents their relationship to her father as a coming marriage, though guests subsequently suggest the wedding claim is a performance.

  Minskij recalls encouraging Dunja to leave the station for Petersburg, and later she visits him there. When Der Postmeister arrives, Minskij calls him...

• Der Postmeister → Dunja (Family Father And Daughter) — Der Postmeister loves and mourns Dunja, but his belief that she has been honest about her life is shaken by what he hears. Their reunion briefly restores his hope.

  The plot describes Dunja as Der Postmeister's daughter. He grieves for her, receives a letter from her, and is overwhelmed with joy when she embraces...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Rittmeister Minskij → Der Postmeister (Social Prospective Son-in-Law And Host) — Minskij reassures Der Postmeister with the prospect of a wedding, leading the older man to believe he has come to celebrate Dunja's marriage.

  When Der Postmeister arrives in Petersburg, Minskij presents him as a welcome future father-in-law and says the wedding is to take place the next day.

• Fähnrich Mitja → Dunja (Conflict Grieving Acquaintances Turned Accusers) — Mitja's childhood connection and grief give way to anger when he believes Dunja has lied; their confrontation remains unresolved.

  Mitja recognizes Dunja's name, says he knew her as a child, and grieves for her. Later, he confronts her, accuses her of deceiving him and her father,...

Story Analysis

A father's longing for his absent daughter collides with uncertain accounts of her life and an unresolved confrontation over truth and deception.

Plot Progression

1. Memories at the Post Station — A traveler’s stop prompts Der Postmeister to speak of Dunja, whom he believes is dead. Mitja recognizes her name, and Minskij recalls encouraging her departure for Petersburg.
2. News That Shatters Hope — A letter from Dunja reassures her father that she is well and remembers home. A visitor's account of her relationships contradicts his hopes and provokes an angry collapse.
3. An Unexpected Reunion — Dunja visits Minskij because her father is in Petersburg, and Minskij responds with anger and a threat to call the police. When Der Postmeister arrives, Minskij presents a wedding as imminent, and fat...
4. The Wedding's Uncertain Meaning — Guests suggest the wedding is only a performance to preserve Der Postmeister's belief in Dunja's innocence. Mitja confronts Dunja, who pleads for him to leave, but he insists she has lied. The film's...