The Art of Decadence Essay -- Literary Analysis

In the late 19th century decadence was a tremendously popular piece of music in European literature. In addition, the subversion of the individual and society at large was represented in numerous contemporary works by Mann. In Death in Venice, the theme of decadence ca employ by estheticism appears through and through Gustav von Achenbachs eccentric, specifically homoerotic, feelings towards a refine boy named Tadzio. Although his feelings spring from a sound source, the boys aesthetic beauty, Aschenbach becomes decadent in how excessively zealous his feelings ar, and his obsession ultimately leads to his factual and existential destruction. This exemplifies how aestheticism is closely related to, and indeed often the cause of decadence. Although the muniment is about more complexities, the authors use of such graphic descriptions suggest the physical, literal aspect of his writing is just as weighty to the meaning of the story.The first and most obvious instance of aesth eticism and decadence as correlating themes in this story is the cognomen, Death in Venice. By fore-grounding the name of the urban center in the title, Mann is highlighting the citys key role in the unfolding narrative. Mann aligns the word Venice with the word death in the title. This creates a relationship between these two wrangling - the word death strongly infuses the word Venice with all its connotations. Death and decay are important ideas within the context of decadence. By shear nature the title relates the c erstpts of death and dying to the city of Venice, which implies that the location is where a death result pop off. However, this is paralleled by the opening of the story when Mann drearily tells of Aschenbachs stroll through Munich. In the reading of this passage it ... ...ut to be the scene of a crowded, smother city filled with cholera that eventually leads to his demise. Before this can occur however, he becomes internally decadent through his indulgenc e in Tadzios appearance. He then changes his appearance to please his idol which in maneuver corrupts himself by turning him into the type of decadent man he once despised. These themes of aestheticism and decadence, not in juxtaposition but in duality, are used frequently by Mann throughout the novella.Works CitedMann, Thomas, and Clayton Koelb. Death in Venice a new translation, backgrounds and contexts, criticism. New York W.W. Norton, 1994. Print.Ritters, Naoimi, and .Jeffrey B. Berlin. the Tradition 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.