The Art of Decadence Essay -- Literary Analysis

In the easy 19th century decadence was a tremendously popular cornerstone in European literature. In addition, the degeneracy of the individual and society at large was represented in numerous contemporary works by Mann. In wipeout in Venice, the theme of decadence caused by aestheticism appears by dint of Gustav von Achenbachs eccentric, specifically homoerotic, feelings towards a Polish boy named Tadzio. Although his feelings spring from a sound source, the boys aesthetic beauty, Aschenbach becomes decadent in how also zealous his feelings are, and his obsession ultimately leads to his literal and existential destruction. This exemplifies how aestheticism is closely cerebrate to, and indeed often the cause of decadence. Although the narrative is about more complexities, the causations use of such vivid descriptions suggest the physical, literal nerve of his writing is just as important to the meaning of the fib.The first and approximately obvious instance of aestheti cism and decadence as correlating themes in this story is the title, Death in Venice. By fore-grounding the name of the urban center in the title, Mann is highlighting the citys anchor role in the unfolding narrative. Mann aligns the news program Venice with the word death in the title. This creates a relationship between these two words - the word death strongly infuses the word Venice with all its connotations. Death and decay are important ideas within the scene of decadence. By shear nature the title relates the concepts of death and dying to the city of Venice, which implies that the location is where a death will occur. However, this is paralleled by the opening of the story when Mann drearily tells of Aschenbachs stroll through Munich. In the reading of this passageway it ... ...ut to be the scene of a crowded, stifling city filled with cholera that eventually leads to his demise. Before this can occur however, he becomes internally decadent through his indulgence in Tadzios sort. He then changes his appearance to please his idol which in turn corrupts himself by turning him into the face of decadent man he once despised. These themes of aestheticism and decadence, not in juxtaposition but in duality, are used frequently by Mann passim the novella.Works CitedMann, Thomas, and Clayton Koelb. Death in Venice a new translation, backgrounds and contexts, criticism. newfangled York W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.Ritters, Naoimi, and .Jeffrey B. Berlin. the custom of European Decadence. Approaches to teaching Manns Death in Venice and other short fiction. New York Modern Language Association of America, 1992. 86-92. Print.