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GERM-670 Seminar: Modernism - The German Novel in the First Half of the 20th Century
Spring only
Schneider, Helmut
Seminar dates: Feb 9-Apr 22
In the first half of the 20th century, literature (as the arts in general) of the German-speaking countries experienced an astonishing rise of experimental forms, which were avant-garde (sometimes shocking) at the time of their publication but have since become avatars of ‘classical modernism’ in German and, indeed, world literature. In this course, we will explore some of the most important novels of the period: Rainer Maria Rilke, Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge (1910); Franz Kafka, Der Proceß (1914, publ. 1925); Alfred Döblin, Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929); Thomas Mann, Doktor Faustus (1947). Some central aspects to be pursued are: The demise of “experience” (Erfahrung); the loss of the auctorial voice of the narrator; the new narrative organization and the urban space; modernity and the problem of representation; the Bildungsroman and its philosophical and poetic heritage. – We will also try to show and discuss Fassbinder’s much acclaimed (long!) film version of Döblin.
Since there is an extensive load of reading, it is important that students interested in this class start preparing early. Before the start of the semester, I will hand out a sketch of some initial aspects, problems and questions to help structure the preparation. Students are expected to start reading Th. Mann’s Doktor Faustus before the beginning of classes (Feb. 7).
Requirements:
Intensive class preparation
Two short formal presentations
One final paper
Readings
Rainer Maria Rilke, Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge (1910)
Franz Kafka, Der Proceß (1914, publ. 1925)
Alfred Döblin, Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929)
Thomas Mann, Doktor Faustus (1947)
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
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