'How much further is it to Silberstadt?'

Topographical features play a prominent role in Arno Schmidt's literature. This text analyses the layers of meaning associated with the most significant landscapes and locations in Arno Schmidt's stories set in antiquity. The first part highlights the author's interest in topography in general. This is followed by a brief discussion of the literary theories of Yuri Mikhailovich Lotman and Mikhail Bakhtin, which form the basis for the subsequent analysis. The analysis focuses on the starting points of the respective plots, the protagonists' desired places of refuge, and the (hellish) cities. It demonstrates how topographical features are imbued with overarching layers of meaning, such as 'paradisiacal solitude' or 'hellish mass gatherings', thereby contributing to the interpretation of the ancient-themed narratives.

Pagina's: 116, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing