"Because in the end, you are who you pretend to be."

The theme of deception embodies many forms in Mother Night. Campbell is willing to “create the most complicated character and play it himself” to preserve his marriage. Early on he warns that , “in the end, you ware what you pretend to be” and this warning becomes clearer as time progresses. His life is the façade of a Nazi radio personality and he manages to live unmolested as an American in Nazi Germany. This lie becomes more elaborate as he is coerced into relaying American spy codes during his transmissions. He juggles the responsibilities and his warning serves as a lesson. Everyone believes he shares their anti-Semitic sentiments and he plays along, although deep down he has only continued the lie to continue his relationship. Since this whole hoax has been for the preservation of his marriage, the death of his wife in a bombing leaves his life with no purpose. However, the deceit continues when he allows his sister-in-law to pretend to be his wife. The lies Campbell employs as the glue holding the pieces of his life together eventually comes undone as his past catches up with him. He is sheltered by Nazi sympathizers. Trapped by his lie, he must continue feigning anti-Semitic sentiments and rely on the safety provided by these relics of his past. After years of adopting a different personality, his true identity is known only to himself and his blue fairy godmother – but this cannot defend that his actions helped preserve Nazi Germany and lead to many innocent deaths. Neither the Nazis, Americans, nor his wife, know that what began as a lie for preserving his relationship with Helga has grown into a beast he must handle on his own. As his blue fairy godmother communicates to him that his wife and best friend are Russian spies, his life spirals into a pit of lies and he gives in, finally deciding to come clean and turn himself in to authorities to face punishment for his war crimes. It is easy to sympathize with his predicament. He created the radio personality of “the last free American” to shield himself and Helga from the trials of the outside world. Her death leaves him with nothing but his lies and crimes. The warning “you are who you pretend to be” has defined his life for years. He played the role of a Nazi to save himself but only one other person knows it (his blue fairy godmother) and despite knowing he does not sympathize with the Nazis, in writing his memoirs, he realizes that there is only one real way to show the world how guilty he feels. After reflecting back on his actions he sees no alternative. His actions as a Nazi may have been insincere, but the repercussions were real. In taking his life he tries to cleanse himself of all his crimes. Riddled with guilt, he answers to himself in an honest manner for once.

Given that he took responsibility for his actions and assuming his blue fairy godmother later testified that he was a spy, did he effectively clear his name and manage to let the world know who he really was and what his motivations really were?