A Second Concealment: Quasimodo in Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus

Abstract

Abstract This essay attempts to examine the intertextuality of the fictional character Quasimodo in Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus. Thomas Mann readily professes his affection for his fictional character Adrian, and admits to the existence of a close yet secret connection between Adrian and Mann himself. It can be concluded that Thomas Mann identifies not only with Adrian but also with Quasimodo, who himself loves Esmeralda. But why does he identify thus? There is no simple answer to this question, and here lies the secret of Thomas Mann’s way of working. To explain this, the present essay takes a slight detour and traces his way of thinking and working. This is referred to in this essay as the ‘second concealment,’ which logically presupposes knowledge of the ‘first concealment.’ In the course of this detour, we gain some insight into why Thomas Mann appears in Doktor Faustus riding on the back of Quasimodo.