Rigid Traditionalism
Henrik has locked himself up in a castle, a literal monument to the past. Refusing to participate in modern society, he prefers to deny its existence. In fact he's devoted his life these past several years to a systematic rejection of modern society. Even as he talks to Konrad at dinner, he recalls his father's own traditionalism. Henrik's father was the embodiment of the old Hungarian empire, a man in-tune and successful in his own zeitgeist. As a military general, Henrik believed he had accomplished the same with his life, until society saw fit to change. His inability to adapt to progressive ideas and technology isolates him from human connection. He neither appreciates nor participates in society, growing more resentful every day.
This rigid traditionalism is reflected in Henrik's interaction with Konrad. He manages the dinner as if it were a trial, neither making his guest welcome nor showing interest in reconciling with the man. Henrik's intention is set in the past, in preserving his bitter anger. Taking great pains, he elaborately leads up to an accusation of Konrad for ruining his marriage. Even with Konrad right in front of him explaining what really happened that day and afterward, Henrik will not change his mind. He's crafted a version of reality in which he's suspended in time, frozen in a previous era. Disinterested in change, he can't see past his historical bitterness to rectify his perspective with the very real and very different Konrad standing before him.
Suspense
Readers, along with Konrad, spend the duration of the novel trying to imagine what could have happened between the two men to cause Henrik's bitter hatred. Henrik refuses to say so outright until nearly the end of the book, instead stringing Konrad along in a proverbial trip down memory lane. He's constantly hinting at some great offense, but he refuses to admit as much. Along for the ride, readers are guided through an account of Konrad and Henrik's friendship from Henrik's perspective, all the while being teased about its dissolution. This plot structure creates a great deal of suspense in what otherwise would have be a rather uneventful book.
Envy
Both Konrad and Henrik demonstrate a history of envy. Their relationship as boys was dramatically shaped by envy. For Konrad it was a desire to be a better soldier, like Henrik who seemed to naturally adapt to the role. As they grew older, however, Henrik became the increasingly jealous one. Having devoted his time to military school, he had missed out on a lot of social opportunities. Konrad was more popular than him and received more attention from the ladies. When Henrik had worked through all of that insecurity and personal development and finally married, he still hadn't put his envy to rest. Seeing Konrad pay his wife sexual attention was simply too much for him to bear. He had allowed extreme jealousy to fester through the years and exploded at this one last reason to feel humiliated in comparison with his once dear friend.
