Language:
English
Year of publication:
2002
Titel der Quelle:
Neophilologus; an International Journal of Modern and Mediaeval Language and Literature
Angaben zur Quelle:
86,2 (2002) 287-302
Keywords:
Mann, Thomas,
;
Abraham In literature
;
Isaac In literature
;
Jacob In literature
;
Joseph In literature
;
Job
;
Bible In literature
;
Akedah
;
German literature 20th century
Abstract:
The Book of Job is juxtaposed with its hypertext in Thomas Mann’s novel: the chapter where Jacob mourns for his “dead” Joseph. An argument is made that Mann’s awareness of rabbinical literature creates a connection with the Akedah tradition, i.e., different ways of dealing with the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham in Genesis. The notion that Abraham actually does kill Isaac, as suggested by a medieval rabbinical text, is interwoven into the analysis of Jacob’s mourning for Joseph who appears as an Isaac-like sacrificial victim in Mann’s novel. A connection is established between Abraham, Job and Jacob as figures whose children are claimed by God, and their reactions to this test are compared.
DOI:
10.1023/A:1014439628300
URL:
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