This was a book that was originally published in 1924. It has since been called one of the most influential books to come out of Germany in the 20th century. In its original German the book is titled is Der Zauerberg, and many who have read The Magic Mountain Thomas Mann have been mystified by the cryptic symbolic messages therein.
Mann spent twelve years working on the manuscript for this book. While he was working on it, his wife was experiencing issues with her lungs and was treated by doctors in Switzerland. During two months when he was visiting his wife, the author was inspired to form the foundation of the novel's opening chapter.
In the years that he was working on this monumental book, World War I broke out and forced him to postpone his writing. It may have seemed like an obstacle at the time, but the experience of living through those times had a massive impact on Mann's writing. After seeing the results of the major conflict, the author reassessed many of his values and made big changes to his narrative.
This type of story is known as a bildungsroman. This form of storytelling focuses on the transformative journey of the protagonist rather than the protagonist him or herself. The story told in this book is of a simple young man and his personal development over his formative years, focusing on all the experiences that come with this journey.
The irony in this book serves multiple purposes, being one of Mann's favorite literary devices to use. In defining the protagonist Hans Castorp as simplistic then revealing him to be not so simple after all, the author is making a statement about the underlying complexity of all people. The ironic simplification of reality for the hero also serves as a commentary on the complexity of life itself.
It is easy to see that disease is a major element of this book, but it is not always easy to see what the role of disease in the plot. Symbolically, disease represents a need to change, and in some cases to go on a spiritual journey. This is used to apply to both individuals and society itself. Through all this, Mann's highly used theme of the polarity of spirit and life is played out.
One of the big things that many readers struggle with when reading and trying to understand this book is the way the narrator challenges the reader by posing certain questions. This makes the work much more interactive than other novels, and requires a higher level of engagement from the reader. Sometimes these questions are obvious, while other times they are subtle and hidden.
After almost a century in print, the most thought-provoking critical analysts still differ on some of the midden messages being portrayed in this novel. While the author himself once said that he recommends the people read the book twice, three or four times might be necessary for many. The gratuitous irony, as well as symbolism blended with realism, make this a challenging but deeply meaningful read.
Mann spent twelve years working on the manuscript for this book. While he was working on it, his wife was experiencing issues with her lungs and was treated by doctors in Switzerland. During two months when he was visiting his wife, the author was inspired to form the foundation of the novel's opening chapter.
In the years that he was working on this monumental book, World War I broke out and forced him to postpone his writing. It may have seemed like an obstacle at the time, but the experience of living through those times had a massive impact on Mann's writing. After seeing the results of the major conflict, the author reassessed many of his values and made big changes to his narrative.
This type of story is known as a bildungsroman. This form of storytelling focuses on the transformative journey of the protagonist rather than the protagonist him or herself. The story told in this book is of a simple young man and his personal development over his formative years, focusing on all the experiences that come with this journey.
The irony in this book serves multiple purposes, being one of Mann's favorite literary devices to use. In defining the protagonist Hans Castorp as simplistic then revealing him to be not so simple after all, the author is making a statement about the underlying complexity of all people. The ironic simplification of reality for the hero also serves as a commentary on the complexity of life itself.
It is easy to see that disease is a major element of this book, but it is not always easy to see what the role of disease in the plot. Symbolically, disease represents a need to change, and in some cases to go on a spiritual journey. This is used to apply to both individuals and society itself. Through all this, Mann's highly used theme of the polarity of spirit and life is played out.
One of the big things that many readers struggle with when reading and trying to understand this book is the way the narrator challenges the reader by posing certain questions. This makes the work much more interactive than other novels, and requires a higher level of engagement from the reader. Sometimes these questions are obvious, while other times they are subtle and hidden.
After almost a century in print, the most thought-provoking critical analysts still differ on some of the midden messages being portrayed in this novel. While the author himself once said that he recommends the people read the book twice, three or four times might be necessary for many. The gratuitous irony, as well as symbolism blended with realism, make this a challenging but deeply meaningful read.
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