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5. Magic and science as tools of social manipulation in the worlds of E.T.A. Hofmann’s tales (OPEN ACCESS)

Magic and science as tools of social manipulation in the worlds of E.T.A. Hofmann’s tales (OPEN ACCESS)

Finogenov V.A.

Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, p_jh@mail.ru

Abstract

The article explores E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tales in the paradigm of a grotesque model of society, where public manipulations are carried out by magic combined with scientific technologies. Fantasy becomes a weapon in the fight against the mechanistic tendencies of the Enlightenment, which laid the foundation for scientism and human automatization. These ideas are embodied in menacing images of automatic soulless creatures concealed behind bright illusory worlds.

Keywords

E.T.A. Hoffmann; German romanticism; fairy tail; magic; grotesque; parody; social satire; dualism; Enlightenment; I. Kant; science; automaton; mechanism

For citing: Finogenov V.A. (2022). Magic and science as tools of social manipulation in the worlds of E.T.A. Hofmann’s tales. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Moscow: INION RAN. Vol. 3(51): Power of literature – writer and authorities, pp. 171-183. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2022.03.08

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