Did Viktor mail that letter?
We see Eva reciting from it, and we see Charlotte's pained face, but it's not clear that she has the letter in hand. Are we to assume he mailed it?
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MovieChat Forums > Höstsonaten (1978) Discussion > Did Viktor mail that letter?
I think its left open to interpretation on purpose. I was waiting for him to throw it in the fire. While Bergman does show the two faces they seem to be detached from reality. Ullmann's character for example is reading the letter aloud, but why would she do that? Like I said, open to interpretation but in my mind he tossed it in the trash.
shareI'd like to believe he did. Also, another thing to think about - if he didn't, do you think Eva would have stopped trying to make contact with her mother? I don't think that letter would be her final attempt.
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I prefer to believe that he did send the letter, aknowledging how important it was to his wife, even if, deep inside, he thought it was pointless.
shareViktor never exhibited any behavior in the film to indicate that he would presume to manipulate his wife's life. On the contrary, he was always exceedingly supportive. He would not let her think he was going to mail such an important letter and then destroy it. That would be totally out of character with the type of man he showed himself to be throughout the film.
shareI guess it's left open to interpretation, but it's interesting to note that immediately after reading the letter, he put it back into the envelope, rather than ripping it up. If he wasn't intending to mail it, why put it back the envelope? Yes, I agree he sent it.
shareNothing about Viktor's character suggests that he would ever interfere with Eva's wishes. He makes it clear that he not only loves her unconditionally but respects her as well. Telling him that he might read the letter if he wishes shows just how much trust and acceptance there is between them - he'd never violate that trust by disposing of the letter. I don't think such treachery would occur to him, even if he thought it would be to Eva's benefit.
shareThis thread is over 3 years old, but I'll still comment because I agree with what most people have stated. Viktor mailed the letter. I don't think he ever did anything throughout the film that would suggest otherwise. He wants a better connection between the two. The reconciliation would be better for his wife.
I would also like to point out that in Winter Light a woman reads a letter aloud while a man reads through it. If you connect Bergman's style, I'd say that Charlotte is definitely reading the letter in that scene and hearing her daughter's voice.
It was a good question asked by the OP. If one sees Viktor as something other than just background, it becomes apparent that he is not so crazy about seeing his wife unhappy, and a sharp viewer might well think he would have second thoughts about mailing a letter that would prolong what he might consider to be false hope. The last shot of Ingrid Bergman could well be simply Eva's imagination of her face in reaction to the letter, especially when contrasted with the last scenes understood to be real (her on the train). I don't think it's unreasonable at all to think that Viktor might see some wisdom in "enough is enough."
shareNot that anyone's asking but if it was me, I would've thrown it.
shareYears later, but in case you're still interested, I think your question is really valid, and here's why (repeated from a response to a later post): If one sees Viktor as something other than just background, it becomes apparent that he is not so crazy about seeing his wife unhappy, and a sharp viewer might well think he would have second thoughts about mailing a letter that would prolong what he might consider to be false hope. The last shot of Ingrid Bergman could well be simply Eva's imagination of her face in reaction to the letter, especially when contrasted with the last scenes understood to be real (her on the train). I don't think it's unreasonable at all to think that Viktor might see some wisdom in "enough is enough."
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