Article

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

Authors: E.G. Margaryan

Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences

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.

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

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