Das Eskimobaby (1918)

Anna von Thorn visits the parents of her fiancé, Knud Praetorius. Knud is currently in Greenland, but he has written to his parents to say that he will be returning home shortly. He is bringing back a surprise from Greenland. The surprise is Ivigtut Sigurdsen, an “Eskimo girl.” Completely uncivilized, Ivigtut appears in the traditional trousers of her people and thoughtlessly pulls the emergency brake on the train because she is unaware of the consequences. At the station, Knud proudly introduces Ivigtut to the professors waiting there and to his parents, explaining that Ivigtut does not shake hands in greeting but smiles instead. Rubbing noses is also a sign of affection. Ivigtut is taken to the family home, although Anna von Thorn is not at all pleased by the Eskimo woman’s presence. In the house, Ivigtut marvels at a mirror, which is unfamiliar to her, is delighted by the electric lamp, and happily presses the bell that summons the maid. The meal that follows is chaotic: Ivigtut uses no cutlery and shows no table manners whatsoever. Ivigtut keeps the household busy at night, too. Bored in her room, she keeps pressing the bell until all the residents of the house come to her room. After Knud has gently reasoned with her, Ivigtut finds herself a place to sleep: she lies down on the bearskin rug beside the bed. At Knud’s lecture about his trip to Greenland, which he gives to the Society for Geography, Ivigtut is the center of attention. She, in turn, is delighted by an older man with a beard and sideburns. Not only does he smell of polar bear, but she is thrilled to play with his facial hair. The next day, Knud’s mother has to reassure Anna, who believes that Knud has fallen in love with Ivigtut. His mother hints that everything will work out for the best at the gathering that evening. Ivigtut will not be attending the event at the Praetorius family home, since her trousers make her unsuitable for polite society. Knud agrees, and gently prepares Ivigtut for the fact that she will not be allowed to celebrate with the rest of them that evening. Ivigtut sulks, cries, and promptly decides to return to Greenland. She rows away in a boat for a little while and ends up in town. At the Jordan department store, she “hunts down” a few items of clothing and is happy not to return home empty-handed. She cannot understand why a store detective stops her and takes her to the store manager. The manager calls Knud, who asks to speak to Ivigtut. But when she hears his voice over the telephone, she cries out, “The Great Spirit!” and becomes impossible to control. Knud comes to collect her, pays for the things she refuses to give up, and takes the young woman home. At the party, Anna expects Knud to finally propose to her after three years, but nothing of the kind happens. Ivigtut has imaginatively combined the stolen items—including a stocking, a corset, and a shirt—with her Eskimo clothing, and arrives at the party dressed that way. Knud takes her back to her room. Some time later, Knud has to leave town for a few days. He does not take Ivigtut with him because she has been feeling unwell for some time. Anna plans to use his absence to get rid of Ivigtut. She has learned that the Nautilus will soon be sailing for Greenland. She makes Ivigtut understand that Knud will not be coming back. Ivigtut has a seizure and shortly afterward collapses. The doctor who is called recognizes the reason for her behavior: a short time later, Ivigtut gives birth to a healthy boy. Knud is summoned home by telegram and, unlike the rest of the family, is delighted by the news. It turns out that Knud and Ivigtut were married at Cape York, Greenland, in August 1917. Anna breaks off her relationship with the Praetorius family. Knud and Ivigtut, meanwhile, soon return to Greenland with their child, while Knud’s parents have by then grown accustomed to the idea of having an Eskimo daughter-in-law.