William Welch answers “Question to the people who read this, like...”

Leah Stein asked this question about Demian:

Question to the people who read this, like myself: Did you also find strong homosexual undertones? I found Sinclair infatuation and longing to Demian to not be necessarily worshiping, but a falling in love of sorts... And the book progresses, to the last moment, I read it as half a coming-out story. What do you think?

William Welch To me it’s like he has these strong attractions to Demian’s soul but his praising of his “masculine body and broad shoulders” is pretty clearly sexual…moreTo me it’s like he has these strong attractions to Demian’s soul but his praising of his “masculine body and broad shoulders” is pretty clearly sexual attraction. He is perhaps too young as a character to have acted upon his feelings but they are clear. He’s in love. As others have pointed out, homosexuality was not ok at that time in history, so Hesse would have needed to be careful in describing this invented character’s thoughts and actions in ways that, I think, might reveal his own emotions. (less)

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