He visited a financial banker named Zara and asked for advice, but she flatly said it was his fault for giving the bank his money.
The hostages are apartment renovators Anna-Lena and Roger, expecting mothers Julia and Ro, an elderly Estelle, and bank owner Zara.
Ro follows Roger and admits to him that the reason she nitpicks every apartment her wife Julia brings her to is because she fears she isn't ready to be a parent.
Zara starts a relationship with Lennart and works up the courage to read the letter from the man who jumped off the bridge ten years ago.
The economic downturn that drove a character to attempt suicide by jumping off a bridge is likely a reference to the Great Recession that originated in the United States during 2007-2008.
This demographic shift has fueled anti-immigrant sentiments from certain Swedish political parties and an uptick in violence targeting immigrants.
Additionally, Anxious People highlights the increasing openness, particularly among younger generations, in discussing mental health issues and seeking professional help.
The book underscores this generational divide through contrasting characters like the retiree Roger, who dismisses his diagnosed burnout condition that the World Health Organization officially recognized in 2019, and the young psychologist Nadia, who views her own history with suicidal thoughts as an asset in helping patients facing similar challenges.
Fearing that her inability to pay rent could lead to her two young daughters being taken away by a lawyer, she resorts to the desperate act of attempting to rob a bank.
The novel explores parenthood from various perspectives and life stages but overwhelmingly portrays it as simultaneously the most terrifying yet most fulfilling experience a person can have.
Although the robber never intended parenthood due to her own upbringing, she cherishes every moment with her daughters, so much so that it drives her to attempt the bank robbery.
The overarching message is that marriage requires hard work, sacrifice, and most importantly, open and honest communication from both partners - something none of the couples fully achieve.
Now retired, Anna-Lena defers to Roger's interests in flipping apartments, though she desires a permanent home, unable to voice her true feelings after his past sacrifices.
The novel implies that while professional treatment is crucial, human connections and empathy, even from passersby, can provide life-altering support and hope for those suffering from mental illness.
[7] As Anxious People explores its characters' mental health, parenting challenges, and marital dynamics, the novel overwhelmingly links these issues to the pressures of the modern world.
The narrator suggests that in today's fast-paced society, feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and anxiety are common human experiences.
Zara, a banker, crystallizes the issue when she remarks that people no longer buy homes, but investments - referring to how few fully pay off mortgages, leaving them beholden to banks that may not prioritize customers' interests during economic downturns.
While celebrating societal progress like Ro and Julia's lesbian marriage, the novel also portrays many modern phenomena as needlessly stressful or even exploitative.
Police officers Jim and Jack assume they are dealing with a dangerous armed male bank robber for much of the hostage situation.
When Jim learns the robber, a woman desperate to avoid losing custody of her daughters due to unpaid rent, only attempted the robbery out of that fear, he is motivated to help her escape.
The novel highlights the positive outcomes of questioning assumptions, listening openly to others' perspectives, and connecting honestly rather than making premature judgments.