Een honderdjarige in de schijnwerpers

: Thomas Mann 1975: De invloed van een herdenkingsjaar op de waardering

Abstract

This research will answer the question of whether and to what extent the commemorative year 1975 influenced the reception of Thomas Mann's work. That reception has certainly changed. More attention was paid to Mann's lyrics and life, and the reception was mostly positive. However, it can only partly be said that Thomas Mann is a 'figure' in terms of the inductive method of Mathijs Sanders. Mann’s influence is too limited for that, and his texts are not discussed and researched enough. No biography of Mann has yet been written in Dutch, there is no society in the Netherlands that stimulates research into Mann, and at secondary level there are no studies of Mann's life and work in the Netherlands. In his native Germany, he can be called a 'figure'.
Sanders' inductive method has proven to be a useful tool. From the various publications, a picture could be sketched of Mann's appreciation in the Dutch-speaking world.
In 1975 he becomes recognised as a modern author. He struggles with the contradiction between instinct and reason. For Mann, culture and politics are an inseparable pair. Whoever chooses one of the two commits the mistake of neglecting the other. His style, narrative style and technique are of an unprecedented level. He dares to write at length. He saw the need for discipline and duty to deliver quality. It is clever how he incorporates sources and quotes. He uses collage technique to enhance and surpass the original.
In 1975, Mann proved to be an esteemed writer. However, that attention disappears after the commemorative year.

Date of Award	4 Jun 2024
Original language	Dutch
Supervisor	Jan Oosterholt (Supervisor) & Marieke Winkler (Examiner)