Monday, March 17, 2008

DIV 4

Summary
  • Aschenbach's obsession grows

Themes and Motifs

  • Obsession and stalking vs love
  • beauty and art
  • divinity
  • god
  • Myth
  • dissatisfaction
  • chance and happiness
  • Melody
  • Sculpture
  • sun
  • age vs youth
  • wise vs desirable
  • inspiration
  • cowardice
  • fire

Character

Aschenbach becomes obsessive in his 'love' of Tadzio. He lacks any rationality which previously governed him.

Tadzio has greek mythology poured over his head until he begins to embody that persona i.e beautiful, promiscious, easy to love... etc

Narrative Voice

The mythology is laid on. The sun becomes a much more important motif, although i'm currently unsure of its exact significance. The description is far more optomistic whereas before it was far darker. This is a chapter of love to allow the reader to realise how deep Aschenbach is into this.

Setting

Still set in Venice. Venice as a setting is less important. The beach becomes highlighted as Aschenbach;s haunt for his stalks. It symbolises freedom, relaxation and dreams. Things that are not usually acceptable are on the beach for instance wearing less...

1 comment:

Donald said...

I like the idea of having Greek mythology poured over your head. Is this A's way of distancing himself from romatntic feelings for Tadzio?

Keep thinking about the sun, but the colours are obvioulsy important.