Steppenwolf: The Disintegration of Harry Haller in Relation to Music Among the many themes present in Hermann Hesse's 1927 novel Steppenwolf, two stand out as fundamental threads around which the constructed story develops: the isolated nature of the artist and the duality of 'existence (Benét 471). Harry Haller, the protagonist of the novel, is portrayed as an outsider to society and modern life; he must struggle with his antiquated ideals and his bestiality to embrace humanity and reality. His Zerrissenheit, or disintegration (literally translated, "the state of being torn to pieces" [Benét1142]), culminates in the Magic Theater at the end of the novel. Here he finds himself a changed man, with a clearer understanding of human and social relationships. Harry Haller's progress to this point can be traced through his changing perception of music and the role it plays in his life: as he becomes increasingly disenchanted with his old lifestyle and actively interested in his new one, his understanding and acceptance of new and old music undergo a significant change. change.The preface to the novel defines Harry Haller as a great lover of music. In it Haller's landlord comments on his habits and characteristics. One of the most surprising encounters he has with Haller occurs one evening during a symphony: first some Handel was played, noble and lovely music. But the steppe wolf sat absorbed in his thoughts... After the Handel came a small symphony by Friedemann Bach, and I saw with surprise how after a few bars my stranger began to smile and abandon himself to the music... for about ten minutes [he was] so happily lost and enraptured in pleasant dreams... in the middle of the paper... the seriousness and spirituality of the piece. Haller's Zerrissenheit culminates in the understanding that humor, love of life, and passion with a sense of moderation are essential to spiritual health. Living comfortably yet fully is not necessarily an unattainable standard of living. You can be original without pretentions, whole with many parts; It is certainly possible to understand the sacred pain of a long, complex movement and yet take pleasure in the fast pace of a fox trot. Works Cited Benet, William Rose. "Hermann Hesse." Benét Readers' Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1996.Benét, William Rose. "Zerrissenheit." Benét Readers' Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1996. Hesse, Hermann. Steppe wolf. New York: Henry Holt and company, 1927.

Topic > Steppenwolf: The Disintegration of Harry Haller in Relation to Music Among the many themes present in Hermann Hesse's 1927 novel Steppenwolf, two stand out as fundamental threads around which the constructed story develops: the isolated nature of the artist and the duality of 'existence (Benét 471). Harry Haller, the protagonist of the novel, is portrayed as an outsider to society and modern life; he must struggle with his antiquated ideals and his bestiality to embrace humanity and reality. His Zerrissenheit, or disintegration (literally translated, "the state of being torn to pieces" [Benét1142]), culminates in the Magic Theater at the end of the novel. Here he finds himself a changed man, with a clearer understanding of human and social relationships. Harry Haller's progress to this point can be traced through his changing perception of music and the role it plays in his life: as he becomes increasingly disenchanted with his old lifestyle and actively interested in his new one, his understanding and acceptance of new and old music undergo a significant change. change.The preface to the novel defines Harry Haller as a great lover of music. In it Haller's landlord comments on his habits and characteristics. One of the most surprising encounters he has with Haller occurs one evening during a symphony: first some Handel was played, noble and lovely music. But the steppe wolf sat absorbed in his thoughts... After the Handel came a small symphony by Friedemann Bach, and I saw with surprise how after a few bars my stranger began to smile and abandon himself to the music... for about ten minutes [he was] so happily lost and enraptured in pleasant dreams... in the middle of the paper... the seriousness and spirituality of the piece. Haller's Zerrissenheit culminates in the understanding that humor, love of life, and passion with a sense of moderation are essential to spiritual health. Living comfortably yet fully is not necessarily an unattainable standard of living. You can be original without pretentions, whole with many parts; It is certainly possible to understand the sacred pain of a long, complex movement and yet take pleasure in the fast pace of a fox trot. Works Cited Benet, William Rose. "Hermann Hesse." Benét Readers' Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1996.Benét, William Rose. "Zerrissenheit." Benét Readers' Encyclopedia. 4th ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1996. Hesse, Hermann. Steppe wolf. New York: Henry Holt and company, 1927.