Chapter 5

[bearsnotice]

Good morning!

I want to share some author research, and then zero in on Nori’s correct recognition of the use of “gossip” to define the early chapter of Mann’s novel…I think this is intentional on Mann’s part.

Research first.  I have turned to Tobias Boes’s “Thomas Mann’s War”, and reviews of this Mann novel in the New York Review of Books” August 25th, 1940, 13, as well as the New Yorker.

Both Goethe and Mann went through shifts in their literary genre.  Goethe’s novel is in a Romantic genre based on lived experience (The Sorrows of young Werther), and Mann’s early works such as Magic Mountain” which was also inspired by lived experience in his travels, experiences and observations.  Goethe’s Faust, the play is inspired by an earlier 15th century work, as is Mann’s novel “The Beloved Returns, Lotte in Weimar”.  Both of these books or plays are of a later genre that is not based on romanticism or lived experience.  Faust, and Latte in Weimar are of a latter genre for both authors.

I no find it confusing in chapter five how Tobias Boes can argue that both Goethe and Mann both confront totalitarian power.  Is this ambiguity lost in metaphysics, satire…?

What also confuses me is Prussia whose capital and crown is in Berlin when Germany was shifting territory and states who spoke German but also had minority languages.

Mann finds a quote from Goethe’s journal in the 20th century about Latte returning to Weimar fourth years later after her encounter with Goethe who had no fame no social or political status, title or power in the mid 18th century when he fell in love with Late.

The contrast between Mann’s concerns about totolaritanian power and Goethe’s political position in the 19th century confuses me as Boes’s characterizes them both, Goethe and Mann to have shared concerns.  German heritage is central here as a theam, but while chapters through 5 seem to be Mann’s voice and sarcasm than another’s in telling the story.

In Gote’s time there was no radio, no tv or internet, but there is lots of data for Mann to work   With from literary criticism, oral history, and historical archival documents.  In Goethe’s lifetime he saw the American and French Revolution, not to mention experiencing the shifting lands defined as Prussian, and then the Napolionic wars and defeat.  Did Goethe fear the danger of the masses experienced in France?

On chapter 5 more this afternoon.  I have appointments soon today.