126-083 A Study of Thomas Mann's Goethe Novel

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

37.5 points of Second/Third Year subjects.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject is a belated contribution to the 'Goethejahr 1999' - the 250th anniversary of Goethe's birth. In exile in the United States during the Nazi period Thomas Mann saw fit to defend German culture in the face of Nazi barbarism by writing a novel on Germany's greatest writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832). Lotte in Weimar appeared in 1939 but was not allowed to be published in Germany. It portrays the 67 year old Goethe at the height of his fame, finding himself confronted with Charlotte Buff, a lover from 40 years ago. The novel draws a vast amount of material from Goethe's life and oeuvre into the plot. It is serious and profound, funny and mocking, and shows Thomas Mann at the height of his powers of expression. Students should become familar with both the novel and with Goethe's life, work and times.

Assessment

A 1000 word classpaper and an essay of 3000 words for 3rd year, 4000 words for 4th year.

Prescribed Texts

• T Mann, Lotte in Weimar. Fischer Taschenbuch.