Алхимични превращения у Томас Ман и Маргьорит Юрсенар
Alchemical Transformations in Thomas Mann and Marguerite Yourcenar

Summary/Abstract: The following paper scrutinizes M. Yourcenar’s interpretation of T. Mann’s literary contributions and its profound influence on her own artistic philosophy, as articulated in her essay, “Humanism and Hermeticism in Thomas Mann” (1955). Yourcenar’s appreciation for Mann’s work is examined through five key perspectives: manic realism and myth, time complexity, the isotopic continuum between the microcosm and macrocosm, principles of hermeticism and initiation, and the concept of nigredo. Yourcenar perceives Mann’s oeuvre as a catalyst for contemplating the alchemical transformations of modern humanism, a form of humanism that has ‘passed through the abyss’, acknowledging and surpassing the antihumanistic tendencies of the era. This philosophical exploration is further reflected in her novel, “The Abyss” (1968), underscoring the profound impact of Mann’s ideas on her literary journey. The article explores how modern humanism bridges the gap between dissolution and crystallization of the human concept.

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