The social lie exposed in The Pillars of SocietyThe disintegrating effect of the social lie, of duty, as an imposition and outrage, and of the spirit of provincialism, as a suffocating factor, are put highlighted with dynamic force in The Pillars of Society. Consul Bernick, driven by the idea of ​​his duty to the House of Bernick, begins his career with a terrible lie. He sells his love for Lona Hessel in exchange for the large dowry of his half-sister Betty, whom he does not love. To forget his betrayal, he begins a clandestine relationship with a local actress. When caught in her room by her drunken husband, young Bernick jumps out of the window, and then gladly accepts her best friend, Johan's, offer to let him take the blame. Johan, together with his faithful sister Lona, leaves for America. . In exchange for his devotion, young Bernick helps rob his friend of his good name, quelling rumors circulating around town that Johan broke into the Bernicks' safe and stole a large sum of money. "The Pillars of Society", we find Consul Bernick at the height of his career. The richest, most powerful and respected citizen of the community, he is considered the model of an ideal husband and devoted father. In short, a worthy pillar of society. The best ladies of the city gather in the Bernick house. They represent the "Lapsed and Lost" society and get together to do a bit of charity sewing and a lot of charity gossip. It is through them that we learn that Dina Dorf, Bernick's protégé, is the cause of Johan and the actress's alleged fling. With them, giving unctuous spiritual advice and representing the purity and morality of the community, is the recluse Rector Rorlund. , hypocritical and narrow-minded. Into this deadly atmosphere of mental and social provincialism comes Lona Hessel, refreshing and invigorating as the wind of the plains. She returned to her hometown together with Johan. The moment he enters Bernick's house, the entire structure begins to shake. Because in Lona's words: "Fie, fie, this moral underwear here smells so tainted, just like a shroud. I'm used to the prairie air now, I can tell you"..