Synopses & Reviews
In Doktor Faustus, his last major novel, Thomas Mann attempted to interpret and judge Germany's role in European culture and history since the Reformation. In this study, Michael Beddow analyzes the chief historical, theological, psychological and musical themes of this complex work, and considers Mann's indebtedness to the Faust tradition, Nietzsche, and neo-Marxism. He concludes with an account of the novel's generally hostile reception in defeated Germany. The book also includes a chronological table and a guide to further reading.
Review
"As a recent addition to the concise and yet insightful series, Landmarks of World Literature, Beddow's study of Doktor Faustus provides readers not only with a perceptive and scholarly interpretation of the novel but also with supplementary information regarding Thomas Mann's life and work..." Germanic Notes and Reviews
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements; Chronological table of Thomas Mann's life; Table of Adrian Leverkühn's life and works; Note on editions; 1. Antecedents; 2. An artist's life; 3. Matters theological; 4. Germans; 5. Reception; 6. Further reading.