12.18.08
Mann, oh Mann!
If I were to begin with paltry foolishness, I could tell you that for some neurotic reason, I was prompted to buy another hardbound copy of Doktor Faustus even though I’m still halfway through the same book, and I can also continue by saying that from this moment on, Thomas Mann will officially be a favourite author, “He’s the Mann,” “SuperMann,” “I love the Mann,” etc., but that would completely ruin the gravity of his work. Therefore, I’ll calm down and behave myself. No, this is not a review. For how would someone such as myself review Mann? By attesting that he trounces every attempt at speed-reading? That every line requires brain-bending cognition? That no other novel has overwhelmed me this much? That my notes on Doktor Faustus have exceeded my usual amount of notes taken from a book?
As I was beginning to wonder why German literature suddenly appeals to me more than Russian literature does, this line stated by a fleeting character appeared, “The Russians… have profundity but no form. And in the west they have form but no profundity. Only we Germans have both.” Deutschlin’s comment was laughed at, and this statement may or may not be subject to scrutiny and argument but then again, even in music, why does it seem to be true? And what did he really mean by “form”? Thoughts anyone?
I do not think that Germans are superior, but I am driven to believe that their cultivation for the intellect is truly superior. (…and somewhere, there’s Franz, shaking his head, because I’m dwelling on a somewhat insignificant line and “taking things too seriously” again. =p)
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*returns to Doktor Faustus* 
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Karlo said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Earlier this year, I borrowed the diaries of Thomas Mann (translated from the German by Richard and Clara Winston) from the college diary. Of course, I never finished reading it for the reason that I began typing them down on Word. I had to return them after the specified time lapsed. I only got to Mann’s diary entries from the period between 1918 and 1921 relating to his writing of The Magic Mountain. Have fun! :)
Miracle ♪♫ said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Wow, I’ll be adding those diaries to my literary wishlist!
Yes, the twisted kind of “fun” we bookworms enjoy. haha
Thanks, Karlo. Have “fun” with Flaubert, too! =)
jonathan hawk said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I am glad to hear but then who are we to challenge your new found passion? Favorited in the now, the best thing about going on record is, if it changes later, you can see how you’ve changed to reflect your new stance. I like how Thomas has somehow wrestled and disMANNtled your appeal for your former favorite authors.
Miracle ♪♫ said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Haha Your words are precise. There’s your evident gentlemanly respect again, Jonathan. Thanks. =)
Karlo said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:52 pm
About the first comment, that’s college library, not college diary. =)
mika said,
December 19, 2008 at 1:39 pm
ooh, i’ve heard a lot about that book. apparently, several prominent 20th century composers read that book (i’ll have to check who exactly). now i’m even more intrigued and tempted to buy that book. btw, what kind of notes do you take when you read books?
about music, i have to agree with that observation. perhaps one reason for that is because german composers don’t fully rely on intuition. for instance, schoenberg was already writing atonal music before he devised the 12-tone system. but he didn’t fully trust his intuition; he felt he needed to ’systematize’ his freedom from tonality, so to speak. and 12-tone serialism was born.
i remember showing sir baes a piece by ligeti. i told him, ’sir, i can’t find the logic in the music.’ he replied, ‘that’s not german, don’t look for logic.’
of course, this is all very general. perhaps it’s also an issue of perspective. perhaps, to a german, the russian composer’s form is lacking, and vice versa. i may be wrong though. :)
Miracle ♪♫ said,
December 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’m telling you, Mika. This is an important book we shouldn’t miss. Please get back to me when you have the info on which composers have read this. I’d like to know.
The notes are my own thoughts on particular passages or replicas of the lines that strike me the most. However, most of these are too private that I rarely post them here. I do this partly because I know I won’t be able to remember all of them (and would go crazy if I couldn’t pinpoint them when the need for a reference arises in the future). haha
Thank you for sharing that fact about Schönberg and what Sir Baes said. I was also discussing this with my mom and she expressed the same thing about Germans’ knack for a strict system. I’m sure you’ve also noticed that the emotions in German music and literature run deeper and are not very transparent compared to others.
Thanks for your thoughts, Mika. =)
grace said,
December 22, 2008 at 8:09 am
hahaha. wow. that’s a good assessment of russian lit. no wonder the russians got me depressed as a teen. i should try German lit now. maybe the effect will be different. i had a copy of faustus before but it must have belonged to my bro cause it was in German! he would have to wait though. i’m still with dr. urbino…
by the way, i changed your link. i think this one works now. no wonder i got lost with the other link
Miracle ♪♫ said,
December 22, 2008 at 9:43 am
In my limited acquaintance with significant literature, I have concluded that Russian lit depresses and German lit disturbs, and it is up to the reader to use these aftereffects to improve oneself.hehe =)
Had one of your bros and I remained in contact, I think we’d have had a rather lengthy conversation concerning Doktor Faustus. He certainly came to mind while reading especially that the narrator happens to be a violist. I wasn’t aware of this beforehand.
Glad the link works now. =)
Enjoy the pythagorean relationship of Dr. Urbino, Florentino, and Fermina!
» Doktor Faustus & A Song said,
December 23, 2008 at 2:11 pm
[...] to Mika: It is very interesting how you mentioned Arnold Schönberg earlier. This book reputably enraged him because Thomas Mann merited Leverkühn [...]