Spring Awakening: A Children’s Tragedy

In a bedroom, Wendla is attended by her sister, Ina; her mother; and the public health officer, Dr. Seltzer. Dr. Seltzer explains that he is prescribing Wendla Blaud’s Pills (a treatment for anemia) to treat the “anemia” causing her vomiting. He advises her to increase the dosage as rapidly as she can to regain full health. Mrs. Bergmann sees the doctor out.

Wendla tells Ina she feels better than she ever has, as long as the image of her mother crying stays from her mind: “Sometimes I’ll feel so wonderful—everything sunshine and happiness. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to feel so good! I’ll feel like going outside, out on the grass in the evening sun, and looking for primroses along the river” (71). Mrs. Bergmann returns and Ina leaves.

Wendla asks her mother whether the doctor really thinks she has anemia; her mother confirms. Wendla thinks she actually has edema and is going to die, because her mother has been crying. Mrs. Bergmann exclaims that Wendla is pregnant: “You have a baby!—Oh, why did you do this to me!” (72). Wendla doesn’t think this is possible because she’s never loved anyone but her mother. She asks why her mother didn’t teach her everything about sex.