Language:
English
Year of publication:
1990
Titel der Quelle:
Studies in Contemporary Jewry
Angaben zur Quelle:
6 (1990) 229-253
Keywords:
Mann, Thomas,
Abstract:
Examines Mann's attitudes toward Jews as expressed in his literary works and his diaries (particularly in his early works), characterized by strong admiration for Jewish creative genius and ethnic vitality tinged with supercilious condescension toward Jewish appearance, manners, and style. The height of negative depiction of the Jew occurs in his novella "Waelsungenblut" ("Blood of the Walsungs"), written ca. 1905, withdrawn from publication, but published in a French translation in 1931. During and following World War I, Mann became an apologist for the political Right, but at the same time he repudiated Nazi ideology and rejected antisemitism. His denunciation of Nazism forced him into exile from 1933, first in Switzerland and later in the U.S., where he engaged in anti-Nazi and pro-Jewish activities. Attributes Mann's persistent anti-Jewish sentiments to ethnic snobbism rather than outright antisemitism.
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