- 1. Wittgenstein's Nephew by Thomas Bernhard is a profound and introspective novella that delves into the complexities of existence, friendship, and the intricacies of the human mind. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Austria, the narrative revolves around the author's relationship with his childhood friend, who is the nephew of the renowned philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Through a series of reflective and often melancholic meditations, Bernhard explores themes of despair, the struggle for identity, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. The prose is marked by Bernhard's characteristic style, with its long, flowing sentences that capture the intensity of thought and emotion. The bond between the narrator and his friend serves as a microcosm of broader existential questions, as they grapple with illness, mortality, and the legacy of family and intellect. Wittgenstein's Nephew ultimately offers readers a poignant glimpse into the nature of friendship and the philosophical inquiries that arise when faced with tragedy and the human condition.
What is the primary setting of 'Wittgenstein's Nephew'?
A) Vienna
B) Prague
C) Salzburg
D) Berlin
- 2. What is the narrator's primary profession?
A) Writer
B) Doctor
C) Philosopher
D) Musician
- 3. Paul Wittgenstein is the nephew of which famous philosopher?
A) Ludwig Wittgenstein
B) Immanuel Kant
C) Friedrich Nietzsche
D) Martin Heidegger
- 4. The relationship between the narrator and Paul is primarily one of:
A) Business partnership
B) Rivalry and envy
C) Teacher and student
D) Friendship and intellectual kinship
- 5. The narrator is a fictionalized version of which real person?
A) Ludwig Wittgenstein
B) Thomas Bernhard
C) Franz Kafka
D) Sigmund Freud
- 6. How does the novel end for Paul Wittgenstein?
A) He dies
B) He writes a memoir
C) He moves abroad
D) He recovers fully
- 7. What artistic field was Paul Wittgenstein's family famously associated with?
A) Sculpture
B) Literature
C) Music
D) Painting
- 8. What is a key structural element of Bernhard's prose?
A) Dialogue-heavy scenes
B) Repetition and variation
C) Descriptions of nature
D) Short, simple sentences
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