Uneasy Dreams of Modernism

Class Description

Uneasy Dreams of Modernism—Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice” (1912) and Franz Kafka's “Metamorphosis” (1915) Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka did not “wake up one fine morning” exclaiming “Thank god we live in modernism and have left the 19th century!” That label was bestowed on them much later. Though Mann and Kafka had very different styles as writers, each addressed topics that had not been addressed before, and both shared the metaphor of metamorphosis. “Death in Venice” narrates the physical and moral disintegration of a cultural icon and “Metamorphosis” opens with the revelation of a humble office worker's overnight transformation into a monstrous insect. These touchstones of modern European literature have been influential through modernism, postmodernism, and beyond. Please order the following translations so that we all are on the same page: Thomas Mann, “Death in Venice,” trans Martin C. Doege (Dead Writers Society) and Franz Kafka, “Metamorphosis,” trans. Michael Hoffmann (Penguin Books). Tuesdays, 1:00 - 2:30 In Person: Room B2 Class Limit: 12

Cancellation Policy

Class fees will be refunded 100% if an instructor cancels class or a student drops before the second meeting of the class.

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