Can People Really Change?

Fairly early in the movie, Minister Hempf made the statement that "people don't change." This topic is explored in throughout the entire film of The Lives of Others. When the viewers first meet Gerd Wiesler, he is viciously interrogating a supposed "Enemy of the State." This form of Wiesler knows no emotion, and has no sympathy for those who do not follow the law, and is completely loyal to the East German Republic. Throughout the film, the viewer sees the character of Wiesler change little by little, until a new character emerges.

While Wiesler observes Dreyman and Christa Maria, the viewer can begin to see Wiesler's character change. For example, while in the elevator with a young boy, instead of responding to the boy's statement about the father told him the Stasi were bad men, Wiesler begins to ask the boy about his father's name, but changes his mind instead. This small action shows that Wiesler. The scene showing Wiesler and the prostitute show that Wiesler is changing, and beginning to care about others and having relationships. He asks the prostitute to stay with him; this shows that he is wanting to pursue a relationship, something unthinkable at the beginning of the film. Wiesler continues to become more empathetic to Dreyman throughout the film, seen by Wiesler making small lies for Dreyman and Christa Maria, reading the book of Brecht that Dreyman mentioned, and ultimately saving Dreyman from imprisonment. The character of Wiesler contradicts what Hempf stated at the beginning of the film; people, do in fact change, and sometimes for the better.