Little Man, What Now?

The many baby items Johannes and Emma accrue throughout the novel symbolize their immaturity, aspirations, and shifting self-conceptions. As soon-to-be parents, Johannes and Emma quickly become aware of how many baby-related items they will need to buy. These items all cost money and, according to the guidebooks, they are all necessary. Cribs, diapers, strollers, and other baby items will be essential for little Markel, and their absence from the house symbolizes the extent to which the young couple is not prepared for this pregnancy. Furthermore, their need to buy everything for themselves symbolizes the lack of family support. They cannot borrow or inherit items from their family because they are either estranged (in Johannes’s case) or physically removed from them (in Emma’s case). There is no support network and no guidance available to them.

One of the most important baby items is the stroller. Shortly after Markel’s birth, Johannes and Emma feel as though they are stuck in their apartment with the baby. They want to go out for a walk and take the baby with them but, to do this, they will need to spend money on a stroller. Since they are poor, their best option is to buy one secondhand. Emma is very particular about which stroller they buy, as she has a very specific vision for what items should be used for Markel. She wants him to be raised in a specific way, one which she hopes will prepare him best for the future, and the baby items are a cornerstone of her ambitions as a mother. Each item that they purchase must be measured against Emma’s imagination, judged by how much it conforms to her specific requirements and desires. When they finally select a secondhand stroller, they go to view the item. When the child of the previous owners begins to cry, Emma decides that they must buy the stroller. Any item that can have this degree of emotional effect on a child is deemed good, as the capacity to create sentimental value and treasured memories is an important part of what Emma deems to be good. The items she wants for her baby are not just the best and most expensive versions, but those items which create the most emotional value. The purchase of the stroller symbolizes how Emma values sentiment above everything when deciding what to buy.

During the first few weeks of Markel’s life, the parents struggle to change diapers and perform other tasks. These struggles quickly fall away, however, as they become well-versed in childcare. When Johannes loses his job and is forced to stay home with Markel while Emma works, the speed with which he adapts to the situation is symbolized by his familiarity with Markel’s toys. He knows which toys are suitable for which occasions and how to manipulate these items to encourage Markel to follow his instructions. Whether he is waiting for Markel to sleep or taking Markel for a walk, Johannes’s intimate understanding of the baby items symbolizes the extent to which he has grown as a father and the extent to which he has become familiar with his son.