Even seventy years after his death, Thomas Mann’s work continues to captivate with its richness in themes, forms, and insights. Mann’s multifaceted oeuvre—spanning novels, novellas, essays, letters, diaries, and speeches—reflects the complexities of his time. From his early fascination with decadence to his rejection of radicalism and eventual embrace of humor and irony, Mann was a diagnostician of his century.
This lecture explores how Mann’s literary evolution mirrored the historical upheavals of the 20th century. It examines his philosophy of "the middle," his skepticism toward radicalism, and his transformation into a critical observer of political developments during his later years. Mann’s work remains both fascinating and unsettling—a testament to its enduring relevance.
Presented as part of the public lecture series Thomas Mann – Milestones of His Work, organized by the Studium Generale at the University of Freiburg.
