A journey through Goethe’s Faust I and II, Thomas Mann’s Doctor Faustus, and Klaus Mann’s Mephisto. Each of these works revolves around a pact with the devil: Goethe’s classical Faust, Thomas Mann’s modern reinterpretation, and Klaus Mann’s theater director based on Gustaf Gründgens’ career.
Who will be redeemed at the end of their infernal journeys—one, none, or all three? And will Germany itself be entirely lost in the process?
This richly illustrated lecture is based on the Strauss’ book Faust Is One of Us (Berlin, 2018). It encourages reflection on the problematic state of today’s world.
The speaker, Dr. Dieter Strauss, has curated two exhibitions about the Mann family and authored three books on this "amazing family." He worked for the Goethe-Institut for 33 years across four continents. He now lives in Offenbach am Main as an independent lecturer and non-fiction author.