The German Tradition in Literature 1871–1945

This book attempts to generalize, and to link German literature since 1871 with the forces which move the society which produces it.

Ronald Gray (Author)

9780521292788, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 October 1977

396 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.75 kg

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]