Previous
Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Part 1, Chapter 1: Arrival
Explanation and Analysis—Lethe:
In the opening scene of the novel, the narrator alludes to the Lethe, an important river in Greek mythology, the waters of which cause forgetfulness. As Hans rides the train towards Davos, located in the Swiss Alps, the narrator notes that:
Space, as it rolls and tumbles away between him and his native soil, proves to have powers normally ascribed only to time [...] Space, like time, gives birth to forgetfulness, but does so by removing an individual from all relationships and placing him in a free and pristine state—indeed, in but a moment it can turn a pedant and philistine into something like a vagabond. Time, they say, is water from the river Lethe, but alien air is a similar drink; and if its effects are less profound, it works all the more quickly.
Related Themes:
Part 3, Chapter 2: Breakfast
Explanation and Analysis—Myrmidons:
The Director of the sanatorium, Dr. Behrens, alludes to the Myrmidons, an ancient tribe from Thessaly, when describing the warlike attitude of Joachim to Hans:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“I can tell right off whether someone will make a competent patient or not, because that takes talent, everything takes talent, and this Myrmidon here hasn’t the least talent for it. For military drill, maybe, I can’t say as to that, but none for being ill. He constantly wants to leave, can you believe it? Forever asking to leave, pesters and badgers me and simply can’t wait to live a life of drudgery down below. What a zealot! Won’t give us six months of his time. Even though we have such a lovely place here—you must admit, Ziemssen, it is lovely here, isn’t it?
Related Themes:
Part 3, Chapter 4: Satana
Explanation and Analysis—Judges of the Dead:
Settembrini, an Italian patient and literary scholar, alludes to Rhadamanthus and Minos, two figures from Greek mythology, after asking Hans about the results of his medical tests:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“And is one already in possession of the verdict? I mean—has the gloomy ceremony of the first examination taken place yet?” Had he cared for an answer, he would have fallen silent and waited—for he had asked a question and Hans Castorp was about to reply. But the stranger went right on with his inquiries: “And did it go well? Given your hilarity”—he fell silent for a moment and the furrowed curl at the corner of his mouth deepened—“one could draw contradictory conclusions. How many months have our Minos and Rhadamanthus saddled you with?”
Related Themes:
Part 4, Chapter 9: Growing Anxiety/Two Grandfathers and a Twilight Boat Ride
Explanation and Analysis—Tantalus:
In an ironic passage, Frau Stöhr uses both a metaphor and an allusion that underscore her perception of medical treatment at the Berghof as a kind of punishment:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Frau Stöhr’s affectations were dreadful to behold. “Good God,” she said, “it’s always the same, as the gentleman knows himself. One takes two steps forward and three back—and when one has served one’s five months, the boss comes and adds another six to your sentence. Ah, the tortures of Tantalus. You push and push, and you think you’ve reached the top of the hill…”
“Oh, how prettily you express it. You’ve finally put a little variety into poor Tantalus’s life. You’ve let him roll the famous marble boulder for a change.
Related Themes:
Part 4, Chapter 10: The Thermometer
Explanation and Analysis—Apollo Belvedere:
Hans employs an allusion and personification in a scene in which he accompanies Joachim to his medical exam, administered by Director Behrens and Doctor Krokowski. After Joachim undresses, Hans reflects upon his cousin’s bare body:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He always was concerned about his body, much more than I, or at least in a different way than I, because I was always the civilian, and more interested in a nice warm bath [...] And now his body has stepped to the fore, but in a totally different way, declaring its independence and putting on airs—by means of illness. He’s lambent, still toxic, and doesn’t seem to get any sturdier, no matter how much he wants to be a soldier in the flatlands. Look at him, a perfect adult male, an absolute Apollo Belvedere, to a T. But inside, Joachim is ill [...]
Related Themes:
Part 6, Chapter 1: Changes
Explanation and Analysis—Pomegranate:
On the evening of Mardi Gras, Settembrini warns Hans not to allow Clavdia to tempt him to stay at the sanatorium unnecessarily. A drunk Hans then insults Settembrini by referring to him with informal pronouns despite Settembrini’s seniority. Clavdia leaves the sanatorium and, several days later, Settembrini approaches Hans and, again, advises him to leave the Berghof by alluding to classical mythology:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Catching up with the young man, but with the intent of moving right on past him, Settembrini said, “Well, my good engineer, how did you like the pomegranate?”
Hans Castorp smiled in confused delight. “I’m sorry—what did you say, Herr Settembrini? Pomegranate? We haven’t had any pomegranates, have we? [...]"
Already past him now, the Italian looked back over his shoulder and carefully stated: “The gods and mortals have on occasion visited the realm of shades and found their way back. But those who reside in the nether world know that he who eats of the fruits of their realm is forever theirs.”
Related Themes:
Part 7, Chapter 9: Highly Questionable
Explanation and Analysis—Science and Magic:
Mann makes various allusions to medical history and practice in his description of Dr. Krokowski’s waiting room as Hans enters the doctor’s office in order to observe a demonstration of Elly Brand’s apparent psychic powers:
Unlock with LitCharts A+It was an ordinary doctor’s waiting room like any other; [...] near the desk and chairs, but separated from them by a folding screen, a chaise lounge set at an angle and covered in oilcloth; in the same corner, a glass cupboard filled with instruments, facing a bust of Hippocrates in the near corner; on the right wall, just above the gas fireplace, an engraving of Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson; and a red carpet that covered almost the entire floor. And yet it was also obvious that certain alterations in the furnishings had been made for this special occasion.
