The Clown (short story)
"The Clown" (, Clown) is a short story by the 19th- and 20th-century German author Thomas Mann. It was first published in the German literary magazine Neue Rundschau in 1897, and were after his death, published as part of the collection Little Herr Freiedemann and Death in Venice and Other Stories. The German title Der Bajazzo is formed from the Italian word used in the title of Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci, meaning clowns, an opera with which Mann was well-acquainted. The title has alternatively been translated as The Joker, suggesting an outsider or oddity. This is a theme strongly explored in this work. This is the most autobiographical of Thomas Mann's works before Tonio Kröger. As in Little Herr Friedemann, Ibsen's idea of a life sustaining lie is explored as well. As in Little Herr Friedemann, the Joker learns that a life of aesthetic epicureanism cannot compensate for human isolation. Plot Introduction The protagonist contemplates suicide in a deep despair and plans to kill himself, even if he should live for another six months. He finds his life bleak and needless as life must be lived, which he isn't capable of doing. Chapter 1 The protagonist describes the old house in which he lived, with the motto "Pray and work" inscribed above the door. He further describes his slender and quiet mother and large, imposing and powerful father. Chapter 2 He takes after his mother, more interested in art than business. The protagonist learns to play the piano, becomes interested in literature and plays at being a director of a puppet theater. He is popular with his peers who defer to him, his grades however aren't good. Chapter 3 His interest in arts is further described, which his mother praises and his father criticizes as his grades are suffering because of it. Chapter 4 The protagonist overhears his parents talking about his future, his father wanting him to start apprenticeship and his mother wishing him to develop his art. He chooses to get into business and apprentices with Herr Schlievogt. Chapter 5 The protagonist is content with this life, but expresses interest in an artist's Epicurean life. Here he meets Schelling, a man who admires him and defers to him. Chapter 6 His father company is liquidated, and his father dies due to stress and depression as well as overexerting himself in his work. His mother dies out of sadness soon after. He takes his inheritance of 100 000 marks and decides to travel. Chapter 7 A description of his travels through Palermo, Rome and other Italian cities, as well as North Africa, Spain, and France, before returning to Germany to a quiet life of contemplation. During these travels, after one of his piano performances, he for the first time takes a great delight in the appreciation of others. Chapter 8 The protagonist buys a house, furnishes it with his parents furniture and his mothers piano. He sets into a daily routine of playing the piano, reading, and taking walks.