Appeal to Aesthetics in Death in Venice Essay -- Literary Analysis

In the late 19th century degeneracy was a tremendously popular theme in European literature. In addition, the depravity of the individual and society at large was represented in numerous contemporary works by Mann. In Death in Venice, the theme of decadence caused by aestheticism appears through 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 excessively zealous his feelings are, and his obsession ultimately leads to his literal and existential destruction. This exemplifies how aestheticism is closely related to, and indeed often the cause of decadence. Although the narrative is about more complexities, the pens use of such vivid descriptions suggest the physical, literal aspect of his writing is just as important to the meaning of the story.The first and most perspicuous instance of aestheticism and decadence as correlating themes in this story is the title, Death in Venice. By fore-grounding the name of the city 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 words - the word death strongly infuses the word Venice with all its con nonations. Death and putrefaction are important ideas within the context 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 allow for 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 passage it ... ...nternally decadent through his indulgence in Tadzios appearance. He then changes his appearance to please his idol which in turn 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-fangled 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.Shookman, Ellis, and Rene-Pierre Collins. Thomas Manns Death in Venice a novella and its critics. Rochester, NY Camden House, 2003. Print.