The German Tradition in Literature 1871-1945

Gray, Ronald

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0521292786 ISBN 13: 9780521292788

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 2010

For Dr Gray German literature since 1871 has been dominated by one intellectual trend: the tendency to think in polar opposites which are felt to be both diametrically opposed and yet capable of fusion, of synthesis. In tracing this trend in literature, he is led to enquire how far the same preoccupations were linked with the German history of the time. In short, did the main literary tradition help to create an atmosphere in which the tyranny of 1933 to 1945 could establish itself. In this 1965 text, Dr Gray uses a combination of broad survey and detailed analysis. The opening chapters isolate and define the tradition, and in a wide sweep show its influence wherever it is to be found in modern German literature, relating it to contemporary events. There are detailed studies of Thomas Mann and Rilke, Hofmannsthal's Der Schwierige and English resistance to German literature.

Descrizione del libro:

This book argues that German literature since 1871 has been dominated by the tendency to think in polar opposites which are diametrically opposed yet capable of fusion, and considers how this is linked with the German history of the time. There are detailed studies of Thomas Mann and Rilke.

Contenuti:

Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction: the German tradition; part I. Writers and Politics: 1. Writers and politics: 1871–1918; 2. Writers and politics: 1918–1933; 3. Writers and politics: 1933–1945; Part II. Thomas Mann: 4. Buddenbrooks (1); 5. Buddenbrooks (2)' 6. Tonio Kröger; Death in Venice; 7. the Magic Mountain; 8. Mario and the Magician; 9. The 'Joseph' novels; 10. Dr Faustus; Part III. Rilke: 11. Rilke's poetry; 12. Rilke and mysticism; 13. Malte Laurids Brigge; The Duino Elegies; 14. The Sonnets to Orpheus; Part IV. Reshaping the Tradition: 15. Hofmannsthal and Der Schwierige; 16. English resistance to German literature from Coleridge to D. H. Lawrence; Notes; Bibliography; Index.