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* Week 3 -- August 26 – September 1. Read from “Table Talk” p. 158, until Chapter 5 “My God, I see it!” (Mein Gott, ich sehe!) p 242.
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Kalliope
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Jul 15, 2013 08:17AM
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I'm having difficulty visualizing her and was surprised to find that she was a strawberry blond. I pictured her as a sultry brunette. Older than Hans but not by too much if her appearance conjures up memories of a schoolboy crush -- makes me think of a youthful appearance. Yet mature enough for an older woman like Fraulein Engelhart to be enamored with. I'm guessing around 29 or very early thirties.
She seems to be a little older than Hans, so late twenties seems right to me. Her arms and hands are still plump and smooth. On another note, has anyone noticed that Mann always calls him Hans Castorp in the narrative? Never just a first name. Could this be to maintain his distance from his main character, or to keep his readers from getting too comfortable with him?
Diane wrote: "She seems to be a little older than Hans, so late twenties seems right to me. Her arms and hands are still plump and smooth. On another note, has anyone noticed that Mann always calls him Hans Ca..."I've been wondering about that technique too Diane. I don't think Mann does this with anyone else in the novel. I think you may be right in your thoughts although rather than comfortable I might say friendly. We can't get too close to someone who is treated so formally.
Diane wrote: "On another note, has anyone noticed that Mann always calls him Hans Castorp in the narrative? Never just a first name. Could this be to maintain his distance from his main character, or to keep his readers from getting too comfortable with him?"Good question. My initial thought was that Mann was placing focus on Castorp's unique experience though shared by others as mentioned in the foreword. The distance that stands out for me is between the characters -- he's one of them and at the same time an outsider. Being that he's a visitor, it also helps to keep a sense of formality. He does after all like to maintain an image of the well-mannered young man!
Mikki wrote: "Diane wrote: "On another note, has anyone noticed that Mann always calls him Hans Castorp in the narrative? Never just a first name. Could this be to maintain his distance from his main character, ..."True Mikki. I was thinking of the relationship with the reader, but equally true the relationship with the other residents. He does work to maintain his separateness.
Though I can see it from all sides.
In this week's reading it's been fun watching him become an active participant and less of an observer. Artful little guy the way he uses Fraulein Engelhart's surveillance of Madame Chauchat to his advantage.
I'm at the point where Hans (we know him well enough to call him Hans, don't we?) remembers that he'll be back to his apprenticeship in Tunder und Wilms in another week and a half, and the name of the company reminded me of the well known phrase associated with the nineteenth century Romantic movement, Sturm und Drang and I couldn't help thinking that there's very little tempest or passion in Hans Castorp's life at the moment. May he will have a more elemental future!
only that hint when he locks eyes with Frau Chauchat!
Ah, I'm further on now and there IS passion in the air as he meets Frau Chauchat on the corridor - I can feel the electricity - sturm und drang indeed!
Fionnuala wrote: "May he have a more elemental future! "Hmmmmm, I'm thinking so as there does seem to be a game of 'chat' and the mouse playing out here!
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That's true.. The Sturm und Drang...!!!.. Tunder und Wilms.
Sue wrote: "only that hint when he locks eyes with Frau Chauchat!"You were there just ahead of me, Sue!
And Mikki.
Kalliope wrote: "That's true.. The Sturm und Drang...!!!.. Tunder und Wilms. .."And Frau Chauchat's banging of the door is indeed like a massive peal of thunder - I like that!
The non-verbal interaction going on between Hans and Madame Chauchat at the dinner table brings to mind that of Aschenbach's and Tadzio's in Death in Venice with their acknowledgements of one another's presence through glances.
Mikki wrote: "Fionnuala wrote: "May he have a more elemental future! "Hmmmmm, I'm thinking so as there does seem to be a game of 'chat' and the mouse playing out here!"
I love that. Mann has to have had a colossal sense of humor to name her Chaudchat!
Mikki wrote: "The non-verbal interaction going on between Hans and Madame Chauchat at the dinner table brings to mind that of Aschenbach's and Tadzio's in Death in Venice with their acknowledgements of one anoth..."And if we wanted to pursue that line of thinking, we could remember Tom Buddenbrook choosing to set up house across the road from the flower shop owned by his former, and perhaps perennial(!) lover, and so in a position to exchange long and lingering glances annually.
I haven't read Buddenbrooks (yet) but by your description I can see the parallels. Perennial(!)...funny. Well, in TMM it does seems that Hans' three week visit is going from seasonal to long lasting. And there's references to other patients returning year after year.
Fionnuala wrote: "Mikki wrote: "The non-verbal interaction going on between Hans and Madame Chauchat at the dinner table brings to mind that of Aschenbach's and Tadzio's in Death in Venice with their acknowledgement..."Good catch!
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Of course, he has turned the electric lights on, but I also feel the brightness when Settembrini enters the scene...!!
Kalliope wrote: "Of course, he has turned the electric lights on, but I also feel the brightness when Settembrini enters the scene..."I liked that too and thought to go back to Settembrini's previous entrances to see if they were associated with enlightenment.
Mann's writing has such wit!
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After all he is the humanist.
Just reached the thermometer!! Ah...now the vacation will linger as HC was beginning to think about. Settembrini is so interesting.
I'm also noticing an increase in Mann's humor again..wonderful when he discusses HC's symptoms.
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They are bigger than I thought.
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Delightful posts, Kalliope.
Did anyone notice the term glass cigar? Mann's reference to the thermometer. Sorry folks, I'm a bit behind in the reading schedule.Also, in Buddenbrooks references to colours - yellow and green - were one of the leitmotifs. I noticed references to yellow here as well. Madam Chaudchat wears a yellow sweater and Settembrini's clothing is also yellow (checked). Could colour possibly be a leitmotif in TMM? Let's not forget the yellow teeth either!
