Alfred Döblins Revolutionstrilogie "November 1918"

• Published in: Monatshefte (Madison, Wis. : 1946) Wis. : 1946), 1970-04, Vol.62 (1), p.1-23
• Main Author: Osterle, Heinz D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bunds; Folklore; Geist; Gilts; Marxism; Nuns; Panoramas; Pardons; Satire
• ISSN: 0026-9271; 1934-2810

This novel marks the turning point in Döblin's development from various combinations of vitalism, Marxism, and mythical thinking to his final conversion to Roman Catholicism. Contrary to Walter Muschg's assessment, this vast panorama of the German revolution of 1918 is to be considered a major work because it is Döblin's most comprehensive approach to the main problem areas of his life, politics, and religion. The structure reflects a basic and unresolved conflict between two value systems, Marxism and Christian mysticism. The two attitudes are examined and contrasted by means of separate plot lines in a highly complex pattern, alternating between cool, objective portrayal, ironic editorial comment, and savage satire of extraordinary force and brilliance. Since both competing value systems are merely provisional, the work is characterized by pervasive ambiguity with a total effect of tragicomedy. Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, the revolutionary heroes of the novel, are portrayed with considerable sympathy; but they also appear in a strange twilight between genius and insanity. Friedrich Becker, the religious quester-hero, moves in a similar twilight between vision and hallucination. He is comparable to Thomas Mann's Leverkühn because his fate is symbolically related to Germany's.