Neo-Classicism and Symbolism in Pannwitz' Works

Abstract

Neo-Classicism is that brief period of literature of the early part of our century that stressed action, individuality and struggle. It wanted the drama to rid itself of blindly succumbing to fate and circumstances. It wanted to restore the ideals of the ancient Greek drama. Life was to be a noble endeavor, in which, to use the words of Nietzsche, man employed his Dionysiac and Apollonian faculties. Yet beyond the realistic world of Neo-Classicism there is a world of eternal forces, a world in which that of Neo-Classicism only has a share. The characters and scenes receive an interpretive meaning. This broader outlook is known as Symbolism. In a study of Pannwitz' works, it becomes quite apparent that the influence of Nietzsche is pronounced. Pannwitz made the myth appear a reality. When he calls it einzige und ganze Wahrheit ' he mentions Nietzsche as the driving spirit of that viewpoint. Karl Heckel even goes so far as to say: Wir haben die Behauptung, Pannwitz sei der berufene Erbe Nietzsches in zustimmendem Sinne beantwortet'.2 Stefan Zweig sees the Dionysiac forces at work, saying: Man kann nur die Kraft, den inueren Druck, die sch~iumende, fortwallende treibende Wucht dieses Stromes bewundern und sie scheint mir tatsichlich in dieser Zeit kleiner, auf enge Ziele straff eingespannter Energieen besonders betrachtenswert .3