Ulrich's Qualities

The character of Ulrich is complicated. He is a man devoted entirely, almost obsessively to the life of the mind. He certainly lacks the qualities of his father, but he is not without any of his own. He simply refuses to blindly obey or follow the accepted thought patterns. He does not ever kowtow to those in positions of authority, as his father does. He has no wish to be part of the accepted order of hierarchy in Vienna. He stubbornly insists on thinking his own thoughts, even as a child "overthinking" the concept of patriotism and rejecting the norm. He is aware that he is different but he does not stop, or reign in, his tendency to "overthink" even when he is sent away for his education. This pattern of "overthinking" continues into adulthood, at times rendering him incapable of the smallest decision, like how to decorate his home. He is portrayed as very intelligent and is obviously very clever, and he attracts women easily as he never lacks company, which tells us he is attractive or at least interesting to women. Yet he seems unsure of himself and sometimes, like when he is beaten up and robbed, seems to try too hard to act in a way that he thinks is “normal.” His brain is always active, busy, and whirring as he closely examines each little detail surrounding his world. He acts almost like he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, but he corrects this behavior whenever he catches himself in an obsessive moment. He is a fascinating, interesting, and compelling character; I am looking forward to reading more about his experiences in Vienna.