"Die Schaffnerin; Die Mächtigen: Novellen" is a collection of two short stories by the Austrian writer Jacob Wassermann. In each of these stories, the author explores complex relationships between people, using virtuosic language and a deep psychological approach. In the short story "Die Schaffnerin" we come across the story of a young woman who works as a conductor on a train. An essential part of the story is her thoughts, feelings and memories, which makes the story very intimate and emotionally rich. The second novella, "Die Mächtigen", tells about the fate of a person who finds himself under the influence of powerful people. The author reveals social problems, the influence of government on the lives of ordinary people, and psychological aspects of relationships between people. Through his deep intellect and masterful writing style, Jakob Wassermann has created works that leave a far-reaching mark on the hearts of readers and encourage an open-minded study of human nature and society.