Disease Writing In Thomas Mann’s Novels

In Thomas Mann’s novels Buddenburlocks,Death in Venice,The Magic Mountain and Dr.Faustus,the phenomenon of disease is densely manifested.The first is the physical disease,including dental disease,plague,tuberculosis,migraine and syphilis;the second is the mental disease,including pessimism and homosexuality;the last is the social disease,which is the root cause of all diseases-the militaristic expansion and the spread of irrational thoughts.Corresponding to the phenomenon of disease is the treatment of disease,which includes both the treatment of medical means and the treatment of metaphorical means: rationalism and humanism.However,in these novels,medical treatment didn’t work while rationalism was also ignored by people under the background of that time.Finally under the baptism of the war,Thomas Mann shouted the humanitarian thought of democracy and peace,constantly worked for it and firmly believed that humanism was the most powerful means to save the society.Thomas Mann’s enthusiasm for the theme of disease stems from his unique disease consciousness,which removes the aesthetic tradition of Romanism to beautify the disease and adds the view of disease with realistic factors.The formation of his disease consciousness was closely related to Thomas Mann’s family background and growth experience,as well as the influence of cultural inheritance and social waves.Besides,it also related to the historical factors of Germany and the social reality at that time.Thomas Mann’s presentation of the disease is not simply the manifestation of the disease,but its profound metaphorical meaning and social significance.Disease is not only a medical phenomenon,but also the disclosure of human nature,art,society and times.Thus disease-theme novels have rich social significance.First of all,Thomas Mann’s novels are a cure for the author himself.With the help of disease-theme novels,Thomas Mann can pour out the pain of his family decline and the loss of his loved ones,and at the same time relieve his repressed emotions.Secondly,Thomas Mann’s novels also achieve a psychological and emotional cure for the readers.These novels,which involve physical pain,psychological trauma and social problems,are extremely easy to resonate with the readers,so as to relieve their depression and achieve a therapeutic effect.In addition,Thomas Mann’s novels are rich in social metaphors and social reflections.From the novels of different periods,we can know that Thomas Mann is deepening and maturing in his reflection on society.