I saw this movie again tonight, and good way or bad way, it was the only way that he could love his son. The eventual inheritance had, to my opinion, very little to do with it, besides the fact that Dreverhaven felt Jacob had earned it.
To my belief, Dreverhaven was an extremely proud man, a trait passed on to Jacob - he wanted to make it on his own, not even accepting the smallest donation from De Gankelaar, who offered to acquit his debts from the books.
But throughout the movie, we also see Dreverhaven as a man who is clearly tired of life - apparently the cold, heartless demeanor has taken it's toll. Jacob, however, is full of enthousiasm for life and all that it holds, and while he seems to be capable of the same behaviour his father is feared for, generally he is not. I think, that Dreverhaven is right on the two accounts he speaks about his method of raising the boy - to Joba and Jacob, respectively. (I watched the original version, so I'm not sure on the translations). First: 'I'll strangle him for nine tenths, and the one tenth I leave him will make him strong.' Then, near the end, in his office: 'Worked against you? Or with you?'
Look at it like this: he was tired of life. He had been for years. And he needed someone to step into his shoes. Now I'm not saying that's what Jacob will do, but it was most probably Dreverhaven's intention. However, he couldn't just have anyone take over his empire. No, Jacob was his man, and he probably knew from the moment he followed him at the docks.
But I'm guessing that in his job he'd seen plenty of idiotic idealists come to nothing, and so he began 'applying pressure' to the boy. Little at first, never having heard of him in prison, and the stuff cith the courts at last. But time and again, Jacob continued to prove himself in Dreverhaven's eyes.
When Jacob came to him that evening, newly-made lawyer, Dreverhaven knew it was over. He could have his rest at last, and leave everything to Jacob. They had a little tussle, as it was bound to be, and a few hours later, with the contract made, Dreverhaven plunged the knife into his heart - to my opinion, quite satisfied with the way his life ended.
Once again... DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!!!
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reddice26
17 years ago
Actually, the education he received from both his mother and his father don't differ hardly. Although his relationship with his mother is not as clear in the movie as it is in the book. But basically, both want him to grow up a strong man, capable of standing on his own two feet. This is shown very clearly when Dreverhaven visits his mother in person and tells her he will only go easy on their son if they marry, she refuses. She knows she can make her sons live easier, and the viewer (and reader) may actually thinks she would accept it. But she realizes Dreverhaven is right and actually thinks the same way she does. After all, she basically made him feel unwelcome in her house, because she wanted him to go out and make a live of his own.
Just keep in mind: The movie, and the book, revolve around characters which are very different, but also very alike at the same time.
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cengelm
16 years ago
They are all very proud and unable to compromise.
The father provoked a murder accusation and risked a conviction of his son.
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caaro1947
15 years ago
:The father provoked a murder accusation and risked a conviction of his son". I don't think so. Dreverhaven perhaps knew that his son would be accused but I have no doubt he also knew Jacob would be cleared.
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