2.2 Previous Study of the novel on “Sickness” in the Sanatorium 3

3. Abnormal Customs in Sanatorium 4

3.1 Theme 4

3.2 Characters Description 4

4. The Analysis of the Sanatorium 5

4.1 Knowledge about Symbolism 5

4.1.1 The Definition of Symbolism 5

4.1.2 The Functions of Symbolism 5

4.2 Symbolism in Sanatorium 5

4.2.1 Use of Symbolism 5

4.2.2 Illusion from Hans 7

4.2.3 Subconsciousness about Time 8

4.3 Understanding through the Contrast between Two Eras 9

4.3.1 Text Understanding according to the Author 9

4.3.2 Deeper Understanding from My Perspective 10

5. Conclusions 12

References 13

1. Introduction

1.1 Background Information

1.1.1 About the Author

Thomas Mann was born in Lübeck, northern Germany. He is a famous novelist as well as an essayist. Owing to his great works, he eventually has won the Nobel Prize for literature without any doubt. However, death and disease are often chosen to be the topic of his literary works, no matter whether it is his first English novel, his medium-length excellent production Death in Venice(Der Tod in Venedig) or his great late-work The Magic Mountain (Der Zauberberg). In addition, he unswervingly regards three people as his enlightened tutors who guide the sunlight into his mind. They are Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Wagner. (Dwight Cavanagh. H., 1990:21)

He has created many wonderful literary works throughout his whole life, which is contributed to his persistent endeavor, thus enriching the treasure-house of both German literature and world literature. He is not only an outstanding gifted writer, but also a humanitarian and a warrior of peace struggling with all the dark forces.

1.1.2 About The Magic Mountain

The Magic Mountain, with its magnificent scene, majestic momentum, exquisite psychological analysis and incisive philosophy, reflects the eve of World War I in European society. It is an epoch-making masterpiece.

Over the past years, Chinese scholars have published many articles on the time in The Magic Mountain, including the famous scholar Yang Wu and Qian Hongjia; The American writer Sinclair Lewis also highly praised it: I feel that The Magic Mountain is the quintessence of European spiritual life; The great director Hans has turned the whole novel into a popular movie. In a word, the novel can accommodate many different kinds of views, and can shelter various academic visions, even to tolerate the evilness.

1.2