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<p>This article offers a&#xa0;close re-reading of Thomas Mann’s <i>Der Zauberberg</i> (1924) through the lens of its engagement with Karl May’s scandalous persona and popular literary output. As a&#xa0;<i>Zeitroman</i>, Mann’s novel portrays the era of <i>Bürgerlichkeit</i> on multiple levels. The interpretation reveals a&#xa0;new literary dimension of that portrayal by arguing that <i>Der Zauberberg</i> would be incomplete without acknowledging May, one of the most curious yet influential figures in the mass literature of the period. The analysis shows that Mann’s novel echoes several elements from May’s work –&#xa0;particularly <i>Winnetou</i> (1893)&#xa0;– notably its relationship to fairy tales and their concept of time, as well as shared themes, comparable characters, and relational dynamics, including settings and time, educational ethos, male pairs, and their interactions with women. In the character of Herr Albin –&#xa0;who significantly influences the plot and the protagonist’s emotional development&#xa0;– the article identifies a&#xa0;critical homage to May’s biographical persona. Through cultural-historical contextualization and comparative readings of <i>Winnetou</i> and <i>Der Zauberberg</i>, this interpretation reveals May and his novel as integral components of Mann’s text, thereby enriching the existing scholarship on <i>Der Zauberberg</i> with a&#xa0;vital layer of popular-cultural significance.</p>

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Velvet Eyes and Bowie Knives

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月15日

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  • A. Dana Weber

摘要

This article offers a close re-reading of Thomas Mann’s Der Zauberberg (1924) through the lens of its engagement with Karl May’s scandalous persona and popular literary output. As a Zeitroman, Mann’s novel portrays the era of Bürgerlichkeit on multiple levels. The interpretation reveals a new literary dimension of that portrayal by arguing that Der Zauberberg would be incomplete without acknowledging May, one of the most curious yet influential figures in the mass literature of the period. The analysis shows that Mann’s novel echoes several elements from May’s work – particularly Winnetou (1893) – notably its relationship to fairy tales and their concept of time, as well as shared themes, comparable characters, and relational dynamics, including settings and time, educational ethos, male pairs, and their interactions with women. In the character of Herr Albin – who significantly influences the plot and the protagonist’s emotional development – the article identifies a critical homage to May’s biographical persona. Through cultural-historical contextualization and comparative readings of Winnetou and Der Zauberberg, this interpretation reveals May and his novel as integral components of Mann’s text, thereby enriching the existing scholarship on Der Zauberberg with a vital layer of popular-cultural significance.