Dithyrambic enlightenment through Dionysian ecstasy in Hermann Hesse's novel «Der Steppenwolf»

Dithyrambic enlightenment through Dionysian ecstasy in Hermann Hesse's novel «Der Steppenwolf»
Авторы (текстом)
E.G. Margaryan
Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences
Keywords
Apollonian and Dionysian principle, Pentheus, Dionysus, Bacchan-te, Harry Haller, Pablo, Hermine, Maria, dithyrambic, orgy, jazz, ecstasy, drug in-toxication, Looking Glass Theatre, anima, death, rebirth
Abstract

An attempt to «reading» Hermann Hesse's novel «Steppenwolf» through «The Birth of Tragedy» Friedrich Nietzsche. The protagonist of the novel «centaurical» hero Harry Haller, in which the agon of two principles – the Apolloni-an, rational and Bacchic, chthonic. Guide Harry through the maze of the uncon-scious acts «maenad» Hermine, which loosens Harry, attach it to the world of con-temporary dance and the art of love. However Dionysianism quintessential novel stands jazz saxophonist, languid, handsome Pablo. As in Euripidic «Bacchae» Dio-nysian wins Top: Harry breaks with petty-bourgeois, rational, stiffly academic envi-ronment and into the world of dreams. However, according to the canons of dithy-rambic drama, dedication neophyte can not be accomplished without sacrifice – fulfilling the request Hermine, Harry stabs her with a knife. At the end of the novel takes place reconciliation and harmonization of the Dionysian and Apollonian start-ed: Pablo image merged with the image of Mozart, Harry is reborn to a new life.

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Bibliographic reference
E.G. Margaryan Dithyrambic enlightenment through Dionysian ecstasy in Hermann Hesse's novel «Der Steppenwolf» // Критика и семиотика. 2014. № 20. Pp. 238–248.