Duke University
Department of German
German 126S:

Rilke Kafka Mann

Usenet newsgroup: duke.courses.ger126s
MWF 5th 1:10-2:00 W6.119
Borchardt: 116H Old Chem frankbo@duke.edu
http://aaswebsv.aas.duke.edu/languages/german/courses/lit/ger126syll.html

Author: Title: Publisher: ISBN:
Rilke, Rainer Maria (1875-1926) Translations from the Poetry of . . . W. W. Norton 0-393-31038-8
Kafka, Frank (1883-1924) Ein Landarzt und andere Drucke zu Lebzeiten Fischer Verlag
Fischer 12441		 3-596-12441-7
Mann, Thomas (1875-1955) Tonio Kröger (1903) (TK) Waveland Press 0-88133-655-6

Date Class work Homework: due next class On-line (for next class)
Individual Collaborative†
W 10 Jan 01 Introduction: Syllabus, final exercise: Portfolio;

Poetics, metrics, semantics, "voice": techniques of lyric poetry; Handout #1

 Rilke: Foreword, pp.9-15; Erste Gedichte -- Advent (1898) pp. 17-35. Look up terms on Handout #1;

write up descriptions or definitions (English or German). Partnerarbeit.

 http://gutenberg.aol. de/autoren/rilke.htm; http://www.uib.no/ ped/rilke.html

F 12 Definitions;

Rilke (1875-1926): Erste Gedichte pp. 17-35;

Write in German six lines of original verse in iambics

(four or five stressed). [due F 19 Jan]

 Compile a list of "dactylic" words in the Rilke poems (pp. 17-55); Partnerarbeit. The contrarians:

http://washingtonpost.com/ wp-srv/style/longterm/books/ chap1/lifeofapoet.htm; http://washingtonpost.com/ wp-srv/style/longterm/ books/reviews/rilke.htm

M 15 MLK Day

 		    
W 17 "Dactylic" words in the Rilke poems (pp. 17-35); Foreword, pp.9-15; Erste Gedichte, "Advent" (1898), pp. 17-35; Buch der Bilder (1902) I,i, pp. 37-55. Using list of "dactylic" words compiled in Partnerarbeit , write in German six lines of original verse in dactylics (six stressed); Buch der Bilder I,ii, pp. 57-85; II, i, pp. 87-105; Compile trochaic verses and words in poems, pp. 17 - 105 The antidote:

http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/ 96apr/rilke/rilke.htm

F 19 Class's iambic and dactylic verses; trochaic words & phrases; Herbsttag (p. 70);Buch der Bilder I,ii, pp. 57-85; II, i, pp. 87-105; "Menschen bei Nacht" (p. 62); "Der Nachbar" (p. 64); "Erinnerung" (p. 72); "Herbst" (p. 74); "Vorgefühl" (p. 78). Herbsttag (p. 70) auswendig lernen. Buch der Bilder II,ii: "Die Stimmen: Neun Blätter mit einem Titelblatt," pp. 109-129; "Requiem," pp. 131-147 Herbsttag (p. 70) auswendig lernen. Explore: http://www.rilke.de/ index_ie.htm
M 23 Herbsttag (p. 70) Buch der Bilder II,ii: "Die Stimmen: Neun Blätter mit einem Titelblatt," pp. 109-129; "Requiem," pp. 131-147 Write in German six lines of original verse in trochees (four stressed); Neue Gedichte, I, pp. 149-177; Imagine being a person with some terrible handicap; write in German metrical verse a "tenth page": Use original nine pages as guide: Partnerarbeit [Due F 27 Feb]

W 25 Class's trochaic verses. Neue Gedichte (1907), I, pp. 149-177:"Der Panther" (p. 158); "Sankt Sebastian" (p. 160); "Der Schwan" (p. 162); "Die Erblindende" (p. 164);      
F 27 Class's "tenth page"; "Das Karussell" (pp. 172-174); "Spanische Tänzerin" (p. 176). "Der Panther" (p. 158) auswendig lernen.;

Neue Gedichte, II, pp. 179-191;

"Der Panther" (p. 158) auswendig lernen.  
M 30 "Der Panther" (p. 158);

Neue Gedichte, II, pp. 179-191; "Archaïscher Torso Apollos" (p. 180); "Adam" (p. 182); "Eva" (p. 184);

"Das Karussell" (pp. 172-174) auswendig lernen

"Das Karussell" (pp. 172-174) auswendig lernen  
W 31 "Das Karussell" (pp. 172-174); catch-up. "Archaischer Torso Apollos" (p. 180) auswendig lernen; Marienleben, pp. 193-231 Notes, pp. 235-245. "Archaischer Torso Apollos" (p. 180) auswendig lernen  
F 2 Feb "Archaischer Torso Apollos" (p. 180); Marienleben, pp. 193-231 Notes, pp. 235-245. Select a "Ding" and write a "Dinggedicht"    
M 5 "Dinggedichte"; catch-up;

Wrapping up Rilke; introducing Kafka

 Kafka (1883-1924): "Der Aufbruch", "Der Schlag ans Hoftor", "Gib's Auf!": Handout #2 First Kafka assignment is largely online. Collaborative study this weekend would probably be beneficial. Collaboratively work through http://www.teachsam.de/deutsch/ d_literatur/d_aut/kaf/kaf0.htm for tonight's "Individual" assignment
W 7 Kafka (1883-1924): "Der Aufbruch", "Der Schlag ans Hoftor"; "Gib's Auf!": Handout #2 . Kafka: "Von den Gleichnissen" (questions: Handout #3); "Auf der Galerie," pp. 207-8 (Handout #4); "Ein altes Blatt," pp. 208-10; Prepare brief written interpretations of  Kafka assignment (the nine titles [MWF] next door), in German (ca. 125 words for each text): Partner- oder Gruppenarbeit [due Monday 12 Feb] "Von den Gleichnissen," http://gutenberg.aol.de/kafka/ erzaehlg/gleichns.htm
F 9 Kafka: "Von den Gleichnissen" (questions: Handout #3); "Auf der Galerie," pp. 207-8 (Handout #4); "Ein altes Blatt," pp. 208-10. "Das nächste Dorf," p. 220f.; "Eine kaiserliche Botschaft," p. 221f. (Handout #5); "Der Wächter" (Handout #6).    
M 12 Students' interpretations; "Das nächste Dorf," p. 220f.; "Eine kaiserliche Botschaft," p. 221f. (Handout #5); "Der Wächter" (Handout #6). "Eine alltägliche Verwirrung"; "Vor dem Gesetz" p. 211f. (Handout #6a);

"Urteil" pp. 37-52 (Handout #7)

   "Eine alltägliche Verwirrung":

http://gutenberg.aol. de/kafka/misc/verwirr.htm

W 14 "Eine alltägliche Verwirrung"; "Vor dem Gesetz" p. 211f. (Handout #6a); "Urteil" pp. 37-52 (Handout #7)   Using "Das nächste Dorf," "Eine kaiserliche Botschaft," "Der Wächter," "Eine alltägliche Verwirrung" as models write your own kafkaesque "bad dream" (250 -500 words in German): Partnerarbeit [due M 19 Feb]  
F 16 "Urteil" pp. 37-52 (Handout #7) [Midterm Preview]    
M 19 Students' "bad dreams";

"Urteil" pp. 37-52 (Handout #7);

Study for Midterm Exam Study for Midterm Exam  
W 21 Midterm Examination      
F 23 "Ein Bericht für eine Akademie" pp. 234-245 "Ein Bericht für eine Akademie" pp. 234-245; "Verwandlung," pp. 91-113 (Handout #8) Write, in English, a ca. 500 word "Report to an academy," about your previous life as a . . . Run it through

Partner- oder Gruppenarbeit

 http://www.freetranslation.com into German, and correct. Provide all three versions printed out, if possible, in parallel [Due F 2 Mar].
M 26 "Verwandlung," I - pp. 91-113 (Handout #8) Retell the events of the first day of "Verwandling," in German, from the father's viewpoint (ca. 500 words).    
W 28 "Verwandlung," I - pp. 91-113 (Handout #8); father's viewpoint. "Verwandlung," II - pp. 114-136    
F 2 Mar "Report to an academy" (three-fold); "Verwandlung," II - pp. 114-136.

 In German, retell the events of the middle section (II - pp. 114-136) of "Verwandlung" from the point of view of Mrs. Samsa. (ca. 500 words); "Verwandlung," II - pp. 114-136;    
M 5 Frau Samsa's viewpoint;

"Verwandlung," II - pp. 114-136

 In German, retell the events of the third and last sections of "Verwandlung" from the point of view of sister Greta; "Verwandlung," III - pp. 136-158    
W 7 Mar "Verwandlung," III - pp. 136-158. Grete's Viewpoint

      
F 9

"Verwandlung," III - pp. 136-158; .

      
10 - 18 Mar

Spring Break

        
M 19 "Prometheus," "Poseidon," "Das Schweigen der Sirenen," "Die Sirenen," (Handout #9); "Der neue Advokat" (p. 199f.) "Prometheus," "Poseidon," "Das Schweigen der Sirenen," "Die Sirenen," (Handout #9); "Der neue Advokat" (p. 199f.)    
W 21 "Prometheus," "Poseidon," "Das Schweigen der Sirenen," "Die Sirenen," (Handout #9); "Der neue Advokat" (p. 199f.) Using these "classical" parables (above) as models, write one of your own, a "classical" kafkaesque parable (250 - 500 words in German)    
F 23 Students' "classical" parables; "Der Kaiser," "Der Kaiser von Peking," "Die Nachricht vom Mauerbau," "Die Abweisung," "Der kaiserliche Oberst," (Handout #10) "Der Kaiser," "Der Kaiser von Peking," "Die Nachricht vom Mauerbau," "Die Abweisung," "Der kaiserliche Oberst" (Handout #10); "Ein altes Blatt," pp.208-210; "Eine kaiserliche Botschaft," p. 221f.    
M 26 "Der Kaiser," "Der Kaiser von Peking," "Die Nachricht vom Mauerbau," "Die Abweisung," "Der kaiserliche Oberst" (Handout #10) Using these "Chinese" parables as models (above), write one of your own, a "Chinese" kafkaesque parable (250 - 500 words in German); "In der Strafkolonie," pp. 159-171. In German: three questions and answers on content in "In der Strafkolonie," three questions and answers on meaning and interpretation. Please perform this exercise for each of the remaining Strafkolonie assignments.  
W 28 Students' "Chinese" Kafka parable; "In der Strafkolonie," pp. 159-171; "In der Strafkolonie," pp. 171-185. ditto  
F 30 "In der Strafkolonie," pp. 171-185; "Das Paradies," "Die chinesische Mauer und der Turmbau von Babel," "Der Turm zu Babel," "Der Schacht von Babel," "Das Stadtwappen," "Leoparden im Tempel," "Das Kommen des Messias" (Handout #11); "In der Strafkolonie," pp. 185-195. ditto  
M 2 April "Das Paradies," "Die chinesische Mauer und der Turmbau von Babel," "Der Turm zu Babel," "Der Schacht von Babel," "Das Stadtwappen," "Leoparden im Tempel," "Das Kommen des Messias" (Handout #11);

"In der Strafkolonie," pp. 185-195.

 Using these "biblical" parables (above Handout #11), write your own "biblical" kafkaesque parable in German (250 - 500 words).    
W 4 Students' "biblical" parable; catch-up. "Die Frage der Gesetzte," "Ein Geduldspiel," "Die Wahrheit über Sancho Panza," "Die Quelle," "Die Prüfung," "Robinson Crusoe," "Die Unersättlichsten" (Handout #12)    
F 6 "Die Frage der Gesetzte," "Ein Geduldspiel," "Die Wahrheit über Sancho Panza," "Die Quelle," "Die Prüfung," "Robinson Crusoe," "Die Unersättlichsten" (Handout #12)



Wrapping up Kafka

 Mann, Thomas (1875-1955): Tonio Kröger (1903) pp. 1-12;

 In German: three questions on content in Tonio Kröger three questions on meaning and interpretation. Please perform this exercise for each of the remaining Mann assignments. http://www.ciw.uni-karlsruhe. de/tmg/tmpage.html

http://www.kirjasto.sci. fi/tmann.htm http://www.littlebluelight.com/ mannlinks.html

M 9 Mann, Thomas (1875-1955): Tonio Kröger (1903) pp. 1-12 Tonio Kröger pp.13- 20; ditto http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/ modlang/ german380/tonio.html
W 11 Tonio Kröger pp. 13 - 20 Tonio Kröger pp. 21 - 24; Write in German a 250 - 500 word "Dear John/dear Jane" letter breaking things off between Tonio Kröger and Magdalena Vermehren. (your choice of character) ditto http://cmc.uib.no:7001/1003/

http://www.geocities.com/ Paris/5483/Tonio.htm

http://www.dhm.de/lemo/ html/biografien/MannThomas/

F 13 Tonio Kröger pp. 21 - 24;

"Dear John/dear Jane" letter

 Tonio Kröger pp. 25 - 40; ditto http://www.allscout-kultur.de/ Thomas_Mann_Tonio_Kroeger _Deutsch.htm
M 16 Tonio Kröger pp. 25 - 40 Tonio Kröger pp. 41 - 55; ditto http://www.ciw.uni-karlsruhe.de/ tmg/tmtest.html
W 18 Tonio Kröger pp. 41 - 55 Tonio Kröger pp.  56 - 62; ditto  
F 20 Tonio Kröger pp.  56 - 62 Tonio Kröger pp. 63 - 80;

Portfolio due next class.

 ditto  
M 23 Portfolio* due;

Tonio Kröger pp.  63 - 80;

   ditto  
W 25 Wrapping up Thomas Mann      


† Collaborative work is to be completed in groups of two or three. All parts of the assignment must be written and printed out; participants are to sign off on an assignment and warrant that all participated in the effort.



* "Portfolio": printed and bound compilation of all the semester's work in the course, individual and collaborative; presentation counts (i.e., connecting narratives, added illustrations, graphics, borders).



Portfolio table of contents:

  • Rilke:
    • Definitions
    • Iambic verses
    • Dactylic words & dactylic verses
    • Trochaic verses
    • Gedichte auswendig gelernt
      • Herbsttag
      • Der Panther
      • Das Karussell
      • Archaischer Torso Apollos
    • Das zehnte Blatt
    • Ein Dinggedicht
    • Rilke sites on the Internet
    • Printout brief biography & picture
  • Kafka
    • Kafka sites on the Internet
      • Printout brief biography & picture
    • Kurze Interpretationen

    • Ein Alptraum
    • Bericht für eine Akademie
      • English - "Deutsch" - Deutsch
    • Wiedererzählungen um "Die Verwandlung"
      • Erster Teil
      • Zweiter Teil
      • Dritter Teil u. Epilog
    • Gleichnisse
      • Ein klassisches Gleichnis
      • Ein chinesisches Gleichnis
      • Ein biblisches Gleichnis
    • Questioning "In der Strafkolonie"
  • Mann
    • Mann sites on the Internet
      • Printout brief biography & picture
    • Questioning "Tonio Kröger"
    • Adieu


Successful completion of the course presupposes:

1) a record of rigorous attendance,

2) daily completion of the reading assignments as described on the syllabus and regardless of the pace or place of classroom discussion,

3) Participation



4) On-time submission of all written assignments & revisions,

5) successful completion of written, in-class midterm examination (W 21 Feb 01) and

6) submission of portfolio, on time (M 23 Apr 01)

Honor Code & Plagiarism statement: Please familiarize yourselves with the Duke Honor Code and understand what you are promising when it is invoked and you agree to observe it.
For the purpose of this class, "plagiarism" will be understood as "taking credit for the work of others."
Charges of plagiarism can destroy your career at Duke and haunt you for the rest of your life.
The solution is very simple: without exception, where and whenever you employ the work of others, give credit.
Giving credit doesn't hurt. It is civilized. Giving credit puts everyone in a favorable light, creditor and debtor alike.