7 - Zeitblom's Propensity to Demonology

Summary

THE IDEA OF ZEITBLOM'S ESPOUSING demonology appears ridiculous in the light of everyday common sense. However, in the world of the novel, fascism is presented in the shape of demonology and, therefore, requires this image. At the end of the novel, Adrian is presented as a Christ-figure, which is equally ridiculous in the world of reality, but appropriate to the novel. Obviously, in a secular age, no ordinary human beings fall into either of these categories. For most of the novel, Mann has presented both Adrian and Zeitblom as believable members of society. They have their peculiarities, which one may like or dislike, but in the real world of today few of us think in the terms set by the novel. It has to be remembered that Doktor Faustus is a work of art, not a sociological study. We do not object to this kind of allegorical imagery in a painting; on the contrary we consider it appropriate. The images in Doktor Faustus are allegorical, basic and simple, black and white. Their presentation, however, is not so simple, nor are they so readily identified. Mann has painted his novel in full color, with subtle nuances and grayed areas where statements mean one thing when they are concrete and quite another thing in the abstract context in which they are presented.