Wackenroder’s “A Wondrous Oriental Tale of a Naked Saint” is a fairy tale because it has some of the elements we discussed in class like magic, transformation, undefined setting, and a character type that is not developed. The main character goes through a struggle (a magic spell that has him always spinning the wheel and feeling that something is missing), then he hears the music and is transformed into a spirit. It is, more specifically, a Kunstmarchen because it is literary and artistic, and written by people who want to create a polished literary form. The painstakingly detailed descriptions and use of metaphors are also representative of a Kunstmarchen.
I believe that the power evoked by music is not also accessible to language. The experiences you have when you listen to music cannot be achieved through poetic language, as I found while reading Wackenroder’s tale. Just reading the song did not move me much, although I’m positive if I heard it, it would make much more of an impact. Based on personal experience, I think that language merely points to music.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wackenroder 3/31
I feel that in Wackenroder's tale, language, in the form of lyrics in the lovers' song, merely points to the magic of the music. The music seemed to affect the saint more than the actual words. The saint is also called the "genius of love and music" not music and language. The fact that Wackenroder used language to describe the magic of music shows that language is a tool to describe the power of music not the actual magic holder in Wackenroder's story.
The story contains many fairy tale elements. The existence of a wild man that transforms into something greater is a common element in fairy tales like "Iron Hans." The setting of a remote cave by water uses nature as a character in much the same way that forests and rivers act as almost sentient beings transforming characters in other fairy tales. The more specific kunstmarchen elements are the specification of the Orient locale, which brings exoticism and Romanticism into the story, and the ambiguous ending. While the lovers are united, the saint is transformed into a spiritual being that has unspecified powers. The ending is not unhappy but it is not altogether joyous either. This is a divergence from fairy tales in the oral tradition that usually had clearly defined happy conclusions.
Audra Crosby
The story contains many fairy tale elements. The existence of a wild man that transforms into something greater is a common element in fairy tales like "Iron Hans." The setting of a remote cave by water uses nature as a character in much the same way that forests and rivers act as almost sentient beings transforming characters in other fairy tales. The more specific kunstmarchen elements are the specification of the Orient locale, which brings exoticism and Romanticism into the story, and the ambiguous ending. While the lovers are united, the saint is transformed into a spiritual being that has unspecified powers. The ending is not unhappy but it is not altogether joyous either. This is a divergence from fairy tales in the oral tradition that usually had clearly defined happy conclusions.
Audra Crosby
On Poetry and Music - March 31st
In many ways, music is just the ultimate form of poetic language. It is universal, and easily understood by all. All emotions can be expressed, while the effectiveness lies in the skill of the arrangement. If we are to think of the musical scale as almost everyone knows it, we can easily think of "Do Re Mi". "Do Re Mi" is a neat summation of the link between music and language. Here, we have nonsense syllables that are not exclusive to any one language, yet represent so much by their juxtaposition.
I had the great luck of going to an international drum camp while I was in high school. There, I was able to see a performance by an Indian Tabla master. To Indian drummers, music is learned as a separate language, with its own "grammar". Drum hits and rhythms are assigned syllables, like "ta" and "ki". To illustrate this, the drummer spoke in this language, and then performed it back on the drum. As he spoke, his sentences gained more and more complexity, but it was clear that it was not just gibberish.
While this establishes the clear link between music and language, music and poetry are separated by one simple fact: music is a physical art. Poetry is entirely a mental and emotional process, while music also adds the aspect of performance to the mix. Furthermore, poetry is human invention. While music is natural and primal, poetry is the product of representing music with language.
I think that in Wackenroder's story, the saint's nudity illustrates that the author was aware of this link between the body and music, while also driving down the point that music is part of our natural being. He also calls this character a "saint," I think not only to illustrate the perfection that is associated with music, but also so that we do not mistakenly think that this nude character is a beast.
As for the story itself, I feel that it is a fairy tale for two reasons: there is a major, supernatural transformation at the end, and the story is entirely about an outsider who is superior to the society that doesn't understand him.
I had the great luck of going to an international drum camp while I was in high school. There, I was able to see a performance by an Indian Tabla master. To Indian drummers, music is learned as a separate language, with its own "grammar". Drum hits and rhythms are assigned syllables, like "ta" and "ki". To illustrate this, the drummer spoke in this language, and then performed it back on the drum. As he spoke, his sentences gained more and more complexity, but it was clear that it was not just gibberish.
While this establishes the clear link between music and language, music and poetry are separated by one simple fact: music is a physical art. Poetry is entirely a mental and emotional process, while music also adds the aspect of performance to the mix. Furthermore, poetry is human invention. While music is natural and primal, poetry is the product of representing music with language.
I think that in Wackenroder's story, the saint's nudity illustrates that the author was aware of this link between the body and music, while also driving down the point that music is part of our natural being. He also calls this character a "saint," I think not only to illustrate the perfection that is associated with music, but also so that we do not mistakenly think that this nude character is a beast.
As for the story itself, I feel that it is a fairy tale for two reasons: there is a major, supernatural transformation at the end, and the story is entirely about an outsider who is superior to the society that doesn't understand him.
Sahil Patel - March 31st
I think music and poetic language can go hand-in-hand a lot of times. There is a rhythmic quality to both of them that evokes emotions, imagery, and entertains on many levels. However, while both music and poetic language can be complementary and are very similar, it does not mean they can not be mutually exclusive. Poetic language is enhanced by the use of music just as music can be enhance by poetry. However, there are certain qualities specifically belonging to music - wordless rhythms and sounds - that make it more unique when compared to poetry. Poetry can be engaging, intelligent, and powerful. However, I think emotive power music can evoke is greater. Poetic language can definitely complement and aid the music, however I believe language points more towards music than be on the same plane as music.
Wackenroder's story has several elements similar to a fairy tale. It involves a character that is fantastical and magical to say the least. Furthermore, there is a redemptive structure to the narrative in the sense that the main character, after going through prolonged and severe hardships finally is able to be freed from his shackles. However, I believe the fairy tale elements of "A Wondrous Oriental Tale of a Naked Saint" basically end there. It is definitely more of a Kunstmarchen in the sense that it is a more sophisticated story that utilizes a lot more metaphors and imagery. Furthermore, this tale is definitely not intended exclusively for children - in fact I highly doubt it is meant for children it all. The sophisticated and advanced writing - and the inclusion of abstract imagery and metaphors, specifically the importance of the "wheel" - points towards the audience being adults.
Wackenroder's story has several elements similar to a fairy tale. It involves a character that is fantastical and magical to say the least. Furthermore, there is a redemptive structure to the narrative in the sense that the main character, after going through prolonged and severe hardships finally is able to be freed from his shackles. However, I believe the fairy tale elements of "A Wondrous Oriental Tale of a Naked Saint" basically end there. It is definitely more of a Kunstmarchen in the sense that it is a more sophisticated story that utilizes a lot more metaphors and imagery. Furthermore, this tale is definitely not intended exclusively for children - in fact I highly doubt it is meant for children it all. The sophisticated and advanced writing - and the inclusion of abstract imagery and metaphors, specifically the importance of the "wheel" - points towards the audience being adults.
Assignment: 31 March 2009
Please consider the Wackenroder text, “A Wondrous Oriental Tale of a Naked Saint.”
- What is the relationship between music and poetic language? Is the power evoked by music also accessible to language? Or does language merely point to music?
- Also, consider how Wackenroder’s story is a fairy tale. What elements are fairy-tale-like? And what makes it, more specifically, a Kunstmärchen?
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