"Little Herr Friedemann" and "The Joker"

I'm back for a short post on my introduction to Thomas Mann. I have only read the first two short stories in the collection, but they definitely have been thought-provoking.

There is an important theme worth mentioning that is common in both stories: the protagonist's seperation from society. In the first story, "little" Friedemann makes a huge effort to accept his outcast position in society, which is a result of a non-congenital deformity that sets him apart. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that the short story clearly demonstrates how futile these attempts are. This story dealt with a poor man who has to come to terms with a life that, as much as he might tell himself otherwise, does not suit him. And in the end, this breaks him. The protagonist in "The Joker" faces a similar dilemma, except for the fact that his isolation is a product of his own choice. He, too, faces the great effort of trying to live a life unsuited for himself. 

As one can expect, this made for some sad reads. 

Another interesting theme I want to talk about was very present in "The Joker." I'm referring here to the idea that there is a wide gulf between one's own perceptions and what is really happening in the minds of others, and, furthermore, that it is the former that holds weight and importance. This is something that occupies my own thoughts often, though it can be a depressing thought. I am including some quotes about this:

"Whether I am right or wrong in thinking so matters not a jot--for let us be candid: the important thing is what one thinks of oneself, the image one presents of oneself, the image of oneself that one has the confidence to present!" -The Joker, ch. 9 (Kindle only provides line numbers, not pages, so I am using chapters for reference)

"It is not of the slightest consequence whether I was right or wrong in thinking that I noticed a fleeting exchange of derisive glances between the girl and her friend." -The Joker, ch. 13

The message here is clear, and I need not redundantly continue to explain it. I will, however, note that while the same message can be applied to a much more positive situation, say one in which one's ability to remain positive and confident in the face of insecurity amd feelings of self-contempt pays off, Mann chose to create these pitiful characters. This is worth consideration. Granted, I have only read two (short) works of his, so I know not if his writing is always this down, but the intense inner turmoils of both protagonists created a very personal atmosphere, if you will, while reading, and I expect to find this intensity in his other works.

Till next time, everyone!