Weights and Measures by Joseph Roth (Paperback)

“Weights and Measures” by Joseph Roth is a novella that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the existential challenges faced by individuals in a changing world. It further explores the moral deterioration of a principled man named Eibenschutz. At his wife’s urging, Eibenschutz transitions from his role as an artilleryman in the Austro-Hungarian army to become the inspector of weights and measures in a remote area near the Russian border. As he attempts to enforce fairness in his trade responsibilities, he becomes disillusioned in a world rife with smugglers, opportunists, and petty criminals. The lines between legal and just actions blur for Eibenschutz, leading him astray. Upon learning that his wife is carrying the child of his own clerk, he distances himself from his family. He frequents a border tavern where he becomes entangled with a captivating gypsy woman named Euphemia. However, Euphemia is involved with Jadlowker, the landlord and Eibenschutz’s adversary, who operates the tavern as a hub for local smuggling. This fable-like story explores themes of moral decay, temptation, and the consequences of compromising one’s values in a morally ambiguous world.