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Die überwindung der dekadenz im werk Thomas Manns

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posted on 2024-11-18, 14:38 authored by Inaugural addresses
Inaugural lecture--Department of German Literature, Rand Afrikaans University, 1 April 1971@@In the works of the German novelist Thomas Mann much attention is given to the description and analysis of the phenomenon of decadence, a thematic preoccupation similar to the one that can be found in 19th century German philosophy. The reason for this importance attached to the phenomenon of decadence can be found in the apparent connection which exists between the decline of biological vitality on the one hand and the rise of an intellectual and artistic unfolding on the other hand. However, the fact must not be lost sight of that in Thomas Mann's writings the attempt at defeating decadence is at times dominating the mere description of the phenomenon. Three phases of the struggle to overcome the fascination of decadence can be clearly distinguished: Firstly a heroic phase which is characterised by an awareness, on the part of the main characters, of the temptation exerted by the whole complex of decadence, and by a struggle to steer clear of this temptation. Secondly an ironic phase in which the dogma of a connection between decadence and spiritual refinement is being questioned in a light, ironical manner. Thirdly a mythological phase in which Mann shows vitality and intellectual heightening, which had hitherto been considered as mutually exclusive, to be capable of reconciliation. Such reconciliation is symbolically represented in Mann's later works by the myth of death and second birth. The overcoming of decadence in Mann's work is not shown as an accomplished fact but rather as a continuous process.

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Date of creation

2009-11-16

Date submitted to repository

1971-04-01

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University of Johannesburg

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Vital

Language Translation

The defeat of decadence in the works of Thomas Mann

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Special Collections

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Inaugural addresses

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1005|RAU Inaugural Addresses

Type of material

Inaugural

Research purpose

Teaching lecture

Legacy Handle

10210/2992

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