The Active Influence of Taoism on German Literature at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Open Access
Author:
Tang, Chao
Graduate Program:
German
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
March 16, 2024
Committee Members:
Carrie Jackson, Program Head/Chair Kathlene Baldanza, Outside Unit & Field Member Bettina Brandt, Major Field Member Daniel Purdy, Chair & Dissertation Advisor Thomas Beebee, Major Field Member
Keywords:
Taoism German Orientalism Image of China Orientalism German Modern Literature
Abstract:
This dissertation examines the influence of Taoism on modern German literature following its introduction to Germany during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In this study, I define this influence as the “active influence”, a concept inspired by Zhang Chunjie’s notion of Transculturality. This perspective stands in contrast to the passive influence discussed in Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism.
The dissertation begins by examining the impact of Taoism on the evolving perception of China within German intellectual history. It then delves into the unique position of Taoism within the field of German Orientalist studies. Finally, the dissertation analyzes the works of Hermann Hesse, Alfred Döblin, Bertolt Brecht, and Willy Tonn, exploring their individual interpretations of Taoism, the diverse approaches they employ in their own literary creations, and the various themes they address. It argues that their engagement with Taoism remains untainted by colonialism, imperialism, or Sinophobic biases. Furthermore, the study reveals that Taoism offered potential solutions to the challenges faced by these writers, thus validating the notion of active Taoist influence.
