Modernism and Decadence in Mann's Death in Venice

Abstract

This thesis makes a study of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice in term of personal decadence of an artist in modern society. It presents the artistic decadence of a modern artist who is menaced by his very love of beauty,and is always prone to forget his responsibility to himself, his kind, above all his society. The novel, in fact, is the unsettling story of deeply disturbed principal character, Aschenbach, portraying his soul rending conflict between art and life. Keeping his artistic career, social norms, values and responsibility at the bay, he is totally captivated by the beauty of the boy. He exposes his extreme passion for the boy that leads him to his tragic end.