Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann
- 1. Doctor Faustus is a profound novella written by Thomas Mann, capturing the tumultuous life of a fictional composer named Adrian Leverkühn, who represents the archetype of the tortured artist grappling with the limits of human knowledge and the existential plight of modernity. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Germany, the narrative unfolds as Leverkühn, after a Faustian bargain with the devil, embodies the tragic conflict between genius and madness, creativity and despair. Mann intricately weaves themes of intellectualism, the moral implications of artistic freedom, and the struggle against the encroaching darkness of nihilism and fascism. Through the rich symbolism of music and its transformative power, alongside profound philosophical insights, Mann delves into the nature of existence, the contradictions of the human spirit, and the price of ambition, culminating in a haunting exploration of the hidden costs of brilliance and the fragility of human consciousness, making Doctor Faustus a quintessential work of 20th-century literature.
What profession does Adrian Leverkuhn pursue?
A) Composer
B) Philosopher
C) Painter
D) Writer
- 2. In what century is 'Doctor Faustus' primarily set?
A) 21st Century
B) 20th Century
C) 19th Century
D) 18th Century
- 3. Who does Adrian make a pact with?
A) Faust
B) Beelzebub
C) Mephistopheles
D) God
- 4. What illness does Adrian suffer from?
A) Cancer
B) Syphilis
C) Diabetes
D) Tuberculosis
- 5. What is a central theme of the novel?
A) War and peace
B) Love and betrayal
C) Adventure and exploration
D) The conflict between art and morality
- 6. Adrian’s character reflects which literary archetype?
A) The romantic lead
B) The comic fool
C) The tragic hero
D) The wise mentor
- 7. What musical instrument is often associated with Adrian?
A) Piano
B) Violin
C) Trumpet
D) Guitar
- 8. What kind of music does Adrian ultimately compose?
A) Folk music
B) Atonal music
C) Classical symphonies
D) Pop music
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