The German Revolution and mysticism in Doeblin's novels

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H06611
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: European literature
• Research Institution: Seijo University
• Principal Investigator: Tokita Yuko 成城大学, 文芸学部, 専任講師 (60757657)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-08-28 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ドイツ革命 / 神秘思想 / 歴史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims at finding solution for the change of Alfred Doeblin's mysticism in his exile (1933-1945) by analyzing two spiritual experiences in Doeblin’s trilogy "November 1918. Eine deutsche Revolution" (1938/ 1948/ 1949/ 1950). These experiences prove that Doeblin is in the tradition of the Ancient Greek idea of the soul and the medieval Christian mysticism. He places a special emphasis on the importance of mourning for the dead, because the living are at all time correlate to the dead without knowing it. Historically the totalitarianism follows the german revolution only after ten years. According to Doeblin’s recognition such a political tendency may have its root in disregard of the living for the dead.

Free Research Field

ドイツ文学