Fraser > Recent Status Updates

Meursault is shown to be a very detached man, I relate to not crying at a funeral and his holding no emotion is quite different to a stereotypical version of this scenario. He looks outside at the scenery and feels warmth, saying going for a walk would make him happy, but he can’t be after his mother’s death. His blunt descriptions of engaging with Marie is abstract to “love” - quite interesting to read.

This portion of Steppenwolf presents us with Harry Haller finding good in life & old nostalgic moments that remind him of the ignorant and blissful times of his youth, he feels out of place in adulthood and reading this booklet, based on him, opens his eyes to his true inner workings and philosophical thought. Hesse speaks on everyone having two sides at their core, & little moments of happiness in a miserable life.

Relies on crutches, adds some mystery but it doesn’t truly explore the conflict of Teller and her father and her own self. Not in a profound way at least.

It’s odd switching from the other man to Harry Haller’s perspective and writing style, even though they are both Herman Hesse. Their worldview is clearly separate and Haller sees these simpletons and is jealous of their naivety, their ignorant bliss that they can continue living on in mediocrity without having to think of the darkest parts of life like Haller does. He is not like them, for he is a madman.

Absolutely amazing preface, this eccentric fellow Harry Haller is brought to our attention and shown to be intelligent to his own fault. He sees the truth of life and the cost of living in this civilisation, those words stay true today. Throughout time we are still the primal humans who can bear the ability to swim, but have to learn to undertake it. Haller is out of place in his time, but doesn’t belong in any.