Reading the beginning & end of Lt. Gustl
In Arts One this week we discussed two German short stories: Heinrich von Kleist’s “The Earthquake in Chile” (I just discovered that there’s a 1970s film version) Arthur Schnitzler’s “Lieutenant Gustl” (the translation linked to here is different than the one we read; this is the one we read, and the one I’m citing […]
The Sandman – Hoffmann
Through the reading of The Sandman by Hoffmann, I found the link between the symbol of eyes and Nathanael’s mentality being affected by the character created from his mind, Coppelius. I believe the eyes can be seen as a symbol for one’s clarity of vision and mind, as Nathanael often loses sight/vision as he gets closer towards […]
Nathaniel the metal menace – an automaton in human clothing?
In Hoffmann’s 1816 “The Sandman”, the main protagonist Nathaniel falls in love with Olimpia – an automaton created by university professor Spallanzani and Coppelius-double Coppola. How did Nathaniel not find out earlier? Had robot technology advanced so far in 1816 that an automaton became indistinguishable from humans? Was Nathaniel just blinded by his humongous […]
The Lieutenant Cannot Have A Good Time—Not With That Attitude
I’m pretty sure most of the people in our seminar agree that the protagonist of Lieutenant Gustl is terrible dude in general—he’s sexist, anti-Semitic, and frankly just plain rude. It’s as if he’s got some kind of superiority complex masking an inferiority complex, all masked by unnecessary aggression, especially if you note top of page…
The Tempest: The Ideal Father
One thing that was interesting for me to note while reading The Tempest was the similarity between Prospero and Stephano; both were viewed as fatherly figures by Caliban despite weakening his position as a savage being. Compared to slaving for Prospero, Caliban was more eager to serve Stephano for Stephano not only tempted Caliban with an illusionary opportunity to free himself … Continue reading The Tempest: The Ideal Father →
Kliest: Why to the Holy Mother of God?
While I was reading the Earthquake in Chile, I noticed that Jeronimo has given more glorification to the “Holy Mother of God” (11) than to the “Being that rules above the clouds” (9). If this was read from a religious perspective, the “Holy Mother” and the “Being” are separate beings: one is a human female, while … Continue reading Kliest: Why to the Holy Mother of God? →
Mengzi: Exploring the Negative Impact of Vision
In my presentation, I believe I have asked about what Mengzi would say about a sociopath’s nature. I believe Mengzi would have said that they are born with an innate goodness, but are incapable of developing it for they have a difficulty of differentiating between right and wrong. In my opinion (and Mengzi would probably … Continue reading Mengzi: Exploring the Negative Impact of Vision →
“Most People are either stupid or evil, or both”
“Most people are either stupid or evil, or both.” -Mabon Foo Using Mabon’s statement as my guideline, I would like to explore the question: to what extent do the characters behave like “normal” people? In […]
Freud/Hoffmann Presentation
My presentation question: “So in ‘The Sandman’, Hoffmann REALLY likes to use heat and fire as a motif. He often links it to the overarching theme of perception/vision/eyes…Why is that? How is that? How does it link? WHAT?” As you guys know what happened at our last Freud/Hoffmann seminar, my group and I had a […]
The Use of Veils in The Earthquake in Chile and Lieutenant Gustl
I find both short stories to make considerable use of metaphorical veils, both to hide or to justify acts of morality. These interact with the catastrophes that shape each story, possibly strengthening, creating and altering these veils. I will go through some of the veils that I think are most influential to each story and … Continue reading The Use of Veils in The Earthquake in Chile and Lieutenant Gustl