Wolfsvieh, Flugelbar und Konig Etzels Grab... : Ungezahmte Natur als falscher locus terribilis in Thomas Glavinics Endzeitroman Die Arbeit der Nacht

This article examines the role of nature in Thomas Glavinic's post-apocalyptic novel Die Arbeit der Nacht (2006). The protagonist's relationship with the natural world is based on a premodern dichotomy between civilization and nature, and the author makes use of classical and medieval imag...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neophilologus 2011-04, Vol.95 (2), p.291
Main Author: Hempen, Daniela
Format: Article
Language:ger
Subjects:
Animals
Imagery
Novels
Schmidt, Arno (1914-1979)
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This article examines the role of nature in Thomas Glavinic's post-apocalyptic novel Die Arbeit der Nacht (2006). The protagonist's relationship with the natural world is based on a premodern dichotomy between civilization and nature, and the author makes use of classical and medieval imagery (e.g., mythological/fantastic animals) as well as specific topoi of landscape description (e.g., the locus amoenus and the locus terribilis) to highlight the protagonist's estrangement from the natural world. Unlike the survivors in other well-known post-apocalyptic novels, such as Marlen Haushofer's Die Wand or Arno Schmidt's Schwarze Spiegel, Glavinic's protagonist never reflects on his relationship with nature but remains strongly tied to the patterns of urban life. I argue that the protagonist's disconnect from the natural world contributes to his failed attempt to survive as the last human being on the planet.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0028-2677
1572-8668
DOI:10.1007/s11061-010-9223-3