Since the beginning of the German Empire in 1871, Otto Von Bismarck has been in charge. The North German Confederation's Prussian prime minister was Otto Von Bismarck. The nuclear family was regarded by German society of this era as the basic kinship group. It was made up of married, opposite-sex couples, whether or not they had kids. In his stories, Thomas Mann explores the subject of love as it was portrayed in German culture between 1871 and 1914. In "Tristan," Anton Kloterjahn takes his wife to the doctor because she has bodily aches, a fever, and blood flecks in her cough. Kloterjahn is concerned about the wellbeing of his wife with whom they have had children together. The demonstration of this concern is a sign of the love he has towards her. The two of them are united in marriage which is based on love. The people of the German empire between 1871 and 1914 believed that marriage has to be based on love between a man and a woman. Kloterjahn and Gabriele demonstrate similar beliefs in their union.
Kloterjahn also shares the belief of the people of German empire that it was the role of the man to protect and care for his family when he takes her to hospital. The people of German empire believed that the success of a man was measured on how well he maintained his family. Therefore, the family of Kloterjahn is based on love just like the culture of the Germans during the reign of Otto Von Bismarck felt was necessary.
Disorder and Early Sorrow
The society of the Germans between 1871 and 1914 emphasized on the need for individuals to show emotions to the people they loved. In the story ‘Disorder and Early Sorrow’, we see a professor who loves order and studies in his life. However, his children appear to be different from him as they plan for an evening party. Although their father is reluctant to the idea, he just allows them to hold their party especially after Ingrid assured him that he would not be disturbed. The ability of their father to allow them to do something that he does not like portrays the emotion of love towards his children. He is willing to forego his preferred way of doing things for the sake of her kids.
The professor feels a lot of discrepancies between him and his children especially because of their casual manners, frivolous ambitions, practical jokes and the slang they use. However, he is tolerant of them and even puts his dignity aside as he plays with Snapper and Ellie. The professor is determined to be friendly to his children even though he feels he is old-fashioned. His determination to do whatever he can to his kids brings out the idea of love for his family. The kind of love depicted in this story is similar to the one that the people of the German empire emphasized on. The people of German felt that a family should be based on tolerance and love where the members were willing to support each other just like the professor demonstrates in this story.
Mario and the Magician
The narrator in the story ‘Mario and the Magician’ also brings out the aspect of love in the family value that the Germans during the empire of 1871 to 1914 held in high regard. In fact, the narrator has taken his family for a vacation in Torre di Venere just to spend some time with them away from their daily routine. His family engages in fun activities such as watching a performance by Cipolla, swimming and other retreats. Therefore, the family in this story is held together by the bond of love just like in the times of German empire.
The love between family members in the German empire also emphasized on the need for decency. The children ought to have treated their parents with respect and behave well around them. Similarly, in the story ‘Mario and the Magician,' the family members feel embarrassed when their daughter adjusts her bathing suit at the seaside. They feel that it is slightly indecent and unpleasant. As such, the family members emphasize the role of decency during family interactions and in all relationships based on love. The family in this story is concerned about decency even when they are not in their home place. The people of German between 1871 and 1914 also felt that decency was vital in their society. In fact, girls and boys were taught at an early age different mannerisms and how to behave around their elders in society. The values shared by the Germans during this time are similar to those of this family in this story.
Conclusion
The theme of love as the Germans held it during the empire time between 1871 and 1914 is well brought out by the stories shared by Thomas Mann. The Germans felt that love led two individuals of different sexes to marry each other and they would continue demonstrating their love in their family setting. Similarly, the characters in the different stories are married to individuals from different sexes, and they continually show them love by taking care of them, going for holiday vacations with them and even tolerating their behavior even when they feel it is bothering them.
Bibliography
Eley, Geoff. Society, Culture and the State in Germany. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2006.
Jefferies, Matthew. Imperial Culture in Germany, 1871-1918. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
Mann, Thomas. Death in Venice. New York: Buccaneer Books, 1986.
