A comparison of Death in Venice by Thomas Mann and Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino.
Solitary individuals often exploit different views on our world, sometimes accompanied by a "disharmonious" way of living, as we can see in these two books. The concept of a distant view on life, is applied in both works, be it Gustav von Aschenbach's artistic dilemma in Death in Venice or Cosimo's escape from rules and regulations by leaving the natural life on the ground, to live beneath the sky yet above the earth, in Baron in the Trees. What is it then, that drives them? Is it the pursuit of perfection, of utmost beauty? The wish to live independently, free from the humdrum routine of an earthbound existence? Or perhaps they are merely engaging in a quest for romance? Both of the lead characters are different from the rest; both are hermits in their own separate ways, and their views on our world are accordingly diverse.
Death in Venice, written by Thomas Mann in 1912, is a symbol-laden story of aestheticism and decadence. Gustav von Aschenbach is an ascetic German author with a sense for discipline and formal perfection in literature, and writes thereafter. Upon travelling to Venice for vacation purposes, he encounters a young boy, named Tadzio. Obviously, this boy is a splendid example of Grecian, almost godlike beauty and innocence. Fascinated by this pulchritudinous being, Aschenbach is willingly engulfed in a whirlpool of decadence, sacrificing his once proud and dignified self in favour of an ever-increasing state of obsession for this boy and degradation of his former person. This infatuation eventually takes his life, when a lethal cholera invades Venice. He has the opportunity to leave, but cannot bring himself to leave what has now become an object of desire. Henceforth, his life ends in the embracement of madness.
This novel undoubtedly deals with the role of the artist in society, and houses numerous images and both historical and mythical figures.
Death in Venice The novel Death in Venice is a direct parallel to the life of Thomas Mann, its author. ... The color of the gondola is an obvious symbol for the impending death foretold in the title. ... He decides to leave Venice. ... A Polish baron named Wladyslaw Moes identified himself as the fictionalized Tadzio. ... The strawberries are indeed contaminated with cholera and will lead to Aschenbach's death. ...
They provided Venice with necessities such as silver, copper, iron and gold. ... Venetian trade expanded as Venice's domination of the sea strengthened. ... As Venice and her territories increased, the demand for goods increased. ... The League was formed against Venice in order to check her mainland expansion. ... This isolated Venice and greatly reduced trade. ...
Death in Venice One of the main techniques Thomas Mann uses to portray, as Cicero would call it, eloquence in his art is to connect his literature to ancient beliefs and characters in Greek mythology. ... To be honest, I didn't know too much about ancient mythology when I chose to write the review of Death in Venice on this subject, but the recurring references to Apollo and Dionysus and others struck me as an important mark for this novella. ... Death in Venice has many references to antiquity. ... On the steps of this mortuary, he notices a strange-looking man with red hair, dressed ...
Das rote baron Manfred von Richthofen otherwise known as the red Baron was well known throughout all the soldiers in World War I. The Red Baron was born on May 2, 1892 in Breslau Germany. ... Showing that they were trying to hunt down the red baron. ... So the Red Baron decided to do something very risky. ... Soon after, there was a memorial for Manfred Von Richthofen's death. ...
Rise of Venice 1. ... This is because these innovations attracted more traders to Venice. ... As innovative practices increased the efficiency of business services and attracted more traders to Venice, contributing to its rise, it is one of the main reasons for the rise of Venice. Fall of Venice 1. ... This cause Venice to lose its monopoly over the spice trade. ...
The suitors she scathingly attacks are, Prince of Naples, Count Palentine, Monsieur Le Bon and Young Baron Falconbridge of England. ... In The Merchant Of Venice, the following happens - this is a brief outline. ... Bassanio receives a letter off Antonio asking Bassanio to go to Venice to see him before Shylock kills him. ... There is now a case against Shylock and so instead of death. ... Before Portia and Bassanio, he receives a letter from Venice sent by Antonio asking for Bassanio to go to the court so that Antonio can "see you at my death," but says that "if your love can't persu...
Robber Barons A topic that includes anything that has to do with a robber baron is usually a very controversial topic because of what a robber baron is. ... At the time robber barons made the economy a very unfair playing field for all. When Stanford University vetoed the robber baron as their mascot it raised a lot of questions. Is it appropriate to have a robber baron as a mascot? ... Robber barons were the elite of the elite in their time in the economy. ...
** The contrast between Belmont and Venice In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare creates an interesting contrast between the mercantile, tumultuous city of Venice and the peaceful, gracious world of Belmont. ... Venice itself was Catholic city and politically independent. ... Another dissimilarity is presented when the scenes shift from Venice to Belmont. ... Belmont in contrast to Shylocks Venice is full of music. ... In Venice, ceremony runs into difficulties. ...
He attempts to leave the military training and gets caught and chooses torture over death. The king of the Bulgars pardons his near death torture and then joins the fighting of the war. ... He learns of the war reaching the baron's manor and of the hardships of Cunegonde. ... Candide was to travel to England, France, then to Venice, due to the fact that most of Candide's past clashes would not be present in Venice and Venice welcomed the rich. ... Finally after witnessing an execution in England he booked passage to Venice. ...
