German 250 Study Questions PDF

1.​ Look up the Holy Roman Empire on a map. Much easier that way, isn’t it? Oh, by the way: What years did the Holy Roman Empire exist? (You can just Google or Wikipedia this one). a.​ 800-1806 2.​ What were some of the major languages spoken in the Holy Roman Empire? a.​ French, Ger...

1.​ Look up the Holy Roman Empire on a map. Much easier that way, isn’t it? Oh, by the way: What years did the Holy Roman Empire exist? (You can just Google or Wikipedia this one). a.​ 800-1806 2.​ What were some of the major languages spoken in the Holy Roman Empire? a.​ French, German, Czech, Polish 3.​ How many separate territories and cities comprised the Holy Roman Empire? (p. 33) a.​ 1,600 separate territories and cities. Many of the cities and territories hated each other. 4.​ Where do Saxony and Brandenberg fit in with this cluster-mess and what are the major characteristics of principalities of their nature? (I ask this for no reason…pp. 36-37) a.​ Saxony and Brandenburg were states ruled by princes, the “old-fashioned’ states that relied on agriculture and most lived within rural villages. 5.​ What is a “free peasant”? (you may need to look this up; again, asking for no reason) a.​ A free peasant is a person who has the right to own or rent land, they still have to pay taxes to the royals but they had more autonomy and freedom than a normal peasant. They were not indentured to a specific lord. 6.​ What’s a “Junker” (pronounced like YOONKur) and what’s it like to live under one? (p. 38, again, asking for no reason) a.​ A Junker is a land owner or person of nobility who had command or authority. Living under a Junker was oppressive and the people under them had virtually no rights which lasted for a long period until emancipated. 7.​ Who are some of the people who, despite living in the HRE’s cities, did not have the rights of citizens? (p. 39) a.​ Domestic servants, tradesmen’s assistants, journeymen and apprentices, invalids, beggars, knackers, and hangmen, nobility, clergy, civil servants, Jewish community. 8.​ What happened to the HRE between the fourteenth century (i.e. 1300s) and fifteenth (i.e. 1400s, beginning p. 40)? a.​ People suffered from malnutrition and epidemics sweeping through the empire. Bubonic plague was prevalent. 9.​ What happened as the result of the “inescapable” cycle of [insert answer to #8 here]?  a.​ Social upheavals and rebellion came about due to starvation, mal nutrition, and epidemics. 10.​It wasn’t just the peasants who caused mayhem, death and destruction during this time of great upheaval, though. Who else pillaged and plundered? (p. 41) a.​ Robber barons and unemployed mercenaries. 11.​What was the Great Schism (p. 43)? a.​ There were two popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon. The popes were not aligned in claims which lead to a division of western christianity and a tarnished reputation. 12.​What sorts of people did the “German Nation” actually refer to back then (p. 44)? a.​ The German Nation referred to the group of German princes who were empowered to make political decisions. Nation referred to aristocracy. 13.​What slogan did Emperor Maximillian I govern on and why is THAT familiar/disturbing (or exciting, depending on where you stand on the political spectrum, p. 45)? a.​ The slogan “lasting law and order” I think this is concerning/ familiar because one, our country is experiencing this same kind of push for extremes such as project 25. I also think it is concerning because a country in which it is built in concrete rules with no subject to amendment cannot grow as a nation and evolve with the present times. 14.​What was a popular financial claim about the Empire around the 15th Century (p. 46)? a.​ The claim was that rome invented a thousand ways to part Germans from their money. 15.​What was the popular perception of “Germans” until about 1500? a.​ They were perceived as crude drinkers who were barbaric. 16.​Beginning on p. 50: Why was Martin Luther so important in helping to create a German national identity? a.​ Martin Luther was so important to helping create the german identity because he was unwilling to concede that divine mercy could be purchased. He truly believed that faith and scriptures were the sole ways to receive mercy. He recognized the church’s over use of authority and wrongful acts. He was trying to rebuild the church community for the faithful not the corrupt. 17.​Independent research (just Google it is fine): what were “indulgences,” why did the Catholic Church sell them, how did they “work” and what was Luther’s beef with them? a.​ Indulgences were like a church get out of jail free card to purchase less time in purgatory for wrong doings. The church would grant partial or full remission of sin dependiing on the act and amount given. Martin Luther composed his 95 theses to counter the purchasing of indulgence and he disliked the thought of buying faith and forgiveness without true work and repentance. 18.​On p. 52: What single word did Luther add (or, according to him, not add because it was implied!) to the Scripture to change the course of the Christian religion forever? a.​ Luther added the word alone. Relating to scripture and faith alone will save you. 19.​What was the Peace of Augsburg of 1555? a.​ It established the Lutheran estates of the empire on actual grounds with the Catholics. It allowed the right of reformation to all rulers. Basically the population had to adopt the denomination of their ruler. 20.​How did the Protestant Reformation also encompass a literary and intellectual Reformation (p. 56)? a.​ Luther translated the Bible into his own. He also published his own sermons and ideals leading a stream of theological content to be circulating in the German public. The access to German readings lead to a literacy and intellectual reformation. 1.​ Find a line in the first paragraph that grabs your attention the most. What kinds of expectations does this line (you’ll know it when you see it, I promise) create for you as a reader? a.​ The line “ He was one of the most honest, while at the same time, he was one of the most terrible persons of his period”and “ the feeling of justice made him a robber and murderer”. I think this creates the expectation that as you read this novella, as a reader you may have conflicting emotions whether you are in support or against Kohlhaas’ actions. 2.​ What events mark Kohlhaas’s first border crossing? a.​ The exchange at the toll-bar of Wenzel’s castle,which lead Kohlhaas to be detained and leave two horses as collateral due to lack of a passport/papers according to the castellan. 3.​ What is the condition of the horses when Kohlhaas comes to fetch them? (Go into some detail!)  a.​ Kholhaas’ servant was beaten and sent away without an explanation of what he had done. The horses were overworked in the field although they were the pretty horses not work horses. The horses were skinny and tired, on the brink of death. They had visible bones and tangled mane. 4.​ Kohlhaas refuses to accept money for the horses and instead demands they be returned to him in their prior condition (which doesn’t seem possible). What kind of “currency” is more important to Kohlhaas than money here? a.​ Justice and rightness is more important to Kohlhaas than money. 5.​ BODY COUNT TIME! (the murder kind, not the sexual kind). Who are the first casualties of Kohlhaas’ rampage, and how do these demises transpire? Whose side are you on right now? (If you’re Team Nobody then explain that as well.) a.​ The castellan, the bailiff, and their wives and children were the first deaths recorded. Kholhaas killed a boy servant. These deaths are just collateral damage to find the squire, sadly they were meaningless towards the goal leading to guilt and grief in Kholhaas. Currently, I am team nobody because I am not in agreeance with the squire’s manipulation nor Kholhaas’ part in killing bystanders in his journey to justice. How can you want justice while committing unjust acts? 6.​ What kind of “currency” does Kohlhaas use to assemble his angry mob? (i.e. he does not pay them, but he DOES appeal to their value systems nevertheless. How? Use a specific example from the text.) a.​ Kohlhaas pays his mob with a sense of moral justice in supporting him. They find comfort in creating a collective to fight the morally corrupt and abuses of power through religion. He appeals to their values through his Kohlhaasisch mandate, and the second and third mandate. After putting out the mandates, “ his band amounted to upwards of thirty… accompanied with a little bit of money and hope of prey”. 7.​ MARTIN LUTHER TIME! What sort of “currency” does Luther use in his proclamation chastising Kohlhaas for setting half of Germany on fire? How does Kohlhaas react? a.​ Luther used the currency of salvation to condemn Kohlhaas. Luther stated that God would not even recognize him when his time came as Luther implied it is not in God’s name or will that he burn down Germany in search of justice. In the end Luther believes Kohlhaas is not saving anything but rebelling and just as wicked as the man that wronged him.  8.​ What are your two biggest “takeaways” from Kohlhaas’s meeting with Luther (and how does that meeting come about)? a.​ Kohlhaas’ meeting with Luther came about because Kohlhaas seemed to be enraged by Luther’s words, so Kohlhaas got into disguise and went to Wittenburg to confront Luther. One takeaway from this interaction was that Kohlhaas was not as fearless and powerful as he came off, he was looking to Luther for safety as it seemed he was both fearful of his own band and the people on the opposing side. I also took away that Kohlhaas seems to have gotten ahead of himself, when being questioned by Luther his logic seemed flawed. Kohlhaas himself did not seem to fully understand why he did what he did if his intended purpose was justice for his horses, his wife, and his servant. Kohlhaas let blind rage lead the charge and Luther recognized it. 9.​ The final act of this story may remind you of a fairy tale and you may be surprised by all the "coincidences." How does the Elector of Saxony find out about the piece of paper in the lead locket around MK's neck? (pp. 100-104) a.​ The Elector of Saxony finds out about the piece of paper around MK’s neck during his hunting trip, the locket is noticed and Kohlhaas reveals the truth of the contents.​ 10.​ (p. 123): What course of action does Kohlhaas start on after he tells the strange old woman, “Not for the world, good mother…”? a.​ Kohlhaas remains on his course of revenge. He cares more about completing his intended actions than saving his own life. ​ 11.​(p. 129) Describe the enormous significance of the Elector of Brandenburg’s asking Kohlhaas, “Are you content with me?” a.​ The significance of this ask is that Kohlhaas had won his suit and will lose his life yet the Elector of Brandenburg wants to know if they are cool. The intense and violent actions over his horses led him to his fate, but in the end, Kholhaas technically achieved his goal at a great cost and achieved power destabilization. This statement explores the relationship between moral righteousness and authority. ​ 12.​If Kohlhaas is "content," why does he swallow the paper? a.​ Kohlhaas swallows the paper as a final petty act before his fate is sealed. 1. What is Guelfo’s theory about art? (p. 3) a.​ Guelfo’s theory of art is he can only relate to art if it reflects his soul in the way he believes it should. 2. How does Guelfo feel about his brother, Ferdinando? (p. 4) a.​ Guelfo hates his twin brother so violently. He wants to remove Ferdinando from the family tree. 3. Who is Kamilla, who is her betrothed, and who was she with before? (p. 5) a.​ Kamilla used to be with Guelfo, she then dumped him and is now with Ferdinando. 4. What do you suppose Guelfo means by “no sound more ludicrous than when I call out my own name?” (p. 7) a.​ I think that Guelfo hates that he shares a name with his father that he does not have a loving relationship, so having the same name is disgusting to him. 5. What is the information Guelfo demands from Doctor Galbo, and how does Doctor Galbo answer? (pp. 8-9) a.​ Guelfo demands to know who was born first, him or his brother. The Doctor answered saying he did not know claiming he was too frazzled to know. The Doctor says if he had to say who, he would say Ferdinando. 6: What decision does Guelfo make based on the information he gleans from Doctor Galbo? (p. 9) a.​ Guelfo makes the decision to claim what he believes is rightly his through the Doctor’s information and Grimaldi’s influential words. 7: What are some of the passive-aggressive ways in which Guelfo accuses Amalia of lying to him during their argument in Act I, Scene 3? a.​ Guelfo immediately questions Amalia when she calls him her son, he says he never felt her love and tells her to run to Ferdinando. He tells his mother he should have never been born and crushed in his cradle. 8: What are a few of the ways Old Guelfo seeks to placate Guelfo in Act I, Scene 4? Why doesn’t it work, do you think? a.​ Old Guelfo trys to have Guelfo relax by stating many are envious of their family, and fear Guelfo’s strong temper and fists. Old Guelfo also says he  does not hate his son and wants him to be gentle. Old Guelfo states he gives Guelfo his blessing and tears. Old Guelfo offers Guelfo the estate and a compensation. I think these actions do not work because Old Guelfo keeps bringing up Ferdinando and how Guelfo will prosper under him. Additionally, both Guelfo’s mother and father call him possessed or taken over by evil on multiple accounts. Lastly, the parents try to throw money at the problem, but that wil not work as they cannot give him more money than his brother has. 9: In Act II, Scene 1, we find out what Grimaldi’s deal is and why he’s so miserable all the time. What’s his deal and why is he so miserable all the time? a. It seems that Grimaldi is depressed, he lost the girl he wanted through death and blames ferdinando for “pushing him under”. 10: What is Ferdinando’s strange feeling in Act I, Scene 2, and what do you think the deal with THAT is? a.​ I think that foreshadows that the twin telepathy is telling Ferdinando his “reflection” Guelfo is going to do something. 11: How would you describe Ferdinando’s interactions with his parents and how do they compare with Guelfo’s (II.2)? a.​ Ferdinando has positive interactions with his parents. It seems whatever he says they praise him for it and think of him as the best person alive. When he says he is overwhelmed, they tell him to rest, they tell him to climb as high as he can and believe he can achieve anything. You can barely compare these interactions to Guelfo’s, they question him and plead with him to be the nice shadow of his brother. They believe Guelfo is wicked and Ferdinando is perfect. 12: Act II, Scene 5: This scene is just abjectly bizarre. Give me your best take on it (in like 3 sentences or less). a.​ I think Guelfo was trying to get Kamillia to confess she still loved him. Then he took it too far and started verbally fantisizing about her and would not let her go. Then, she called him sick and he did not take it well, so she tries to change the subject with the sunset and he takes it as a moment to kiss her. 13: Act II, Scene 6: s this how you expected the first face-to-face meeting between the twins to go? Why or why not?  a.​ Yes, I think this meeting is about how i expected it to go. Guelfo wants his brother to hate him as much as he hates his brother, so he tried to provoke Ferdidnando with kissing his bride. But, Ferdinando wants a relationship with his brother and will have his wife so he says kiss her all you want I will kiss the kisses off her lips, but he just wants his brother to speak to him and have a conversation. 1.Give your best take on Guelfo’s “thorn of wrath” monologue on p. 35. (Like, what is he saying in modern-person language?) a.​ In the first half of his monologue, Guelfo lists how he always hated his brother, if they were matching Guelfo would tear up his clothes, if Ferdinando copied his walk, Guelfo would walk differently, And most of all Guelfo hated that Kamilla clung to every word Ferdinando spoke. Then he calls Ferdidnando weak, that he cried is sensitive like a girl. Guelfo says he was the one to protect Ferdinando because he was the strong one. Ferdinando was so weak the breeze would make him sick. He concludes his monologue saying Ferdinando has everything that should be Guelfo’s and if he does not give him everything he will die. 2. Locate a line (or two) in Act III, Scene 2, where Guelfo is wrestling with an inner conflict. Where is it, and what is the conflict, and how does Klinger’s (intentionally?) clunky language heighten the confusion surrounding the conflict? a.​ “ I wish you hadn’t come for your own sake” “Go for me for your own sake”. The conflict is between loving and hating his mother. I think he is so angry with his mother yet still cares for her so he is scared to harm her but also still wants to. The language can make it hard to understand Guelfo’s emotions and understand his true motives. 3. Cool, now locate a line (or two) in the same scene where Amalia and Guelfo’s relationship seems oddly sexualized, by either party, and let me know the effect you think that has on the play or your reading of it. a.​ Amalia says, “ I should like to cool them an extinguish them with my lips”. The lines that are like this make me uncomfortable reading, it seems Amalia is unsure how to diffuse situations without using her body. Amala also genuinely seems convinced on multiple occasions that a kiss from her to Guelfo will save him of the evil he feels. As far as effect on the play, I think it makes Amalia a less powerful character as she does not understand her own son. 4. Guelfo’s monologue in Act III, Scene 3 -- how does the set piece of the storm that gives the Sturm und Drang its name contribute to, well, the Drang? (urgency) a.​ I think the storm gives Guelfo the greenlight to enact his plan. He seems the storm exciting and it seems to bring joy to him. He addresses his mother, Grimaldi, Kamillia, and Ferdinando in his monolougue, yet only hates the name Ferdinando which seems to hint at his plans to kill him. 5. In Act IV, Scene 3, it becomes obvious something bad has happened to Ferdinando. How do we know? a.​ We know something has happened to Ferdinando because Old Guelfo says Ferdinando has ridden out (assumingly on his horse), and then in the next few lines they say the horse has returned without him and see blood on his horses saddle and Guelfo seems to magically appear. 6. On P. 47, Guelfo does something violent that is extremely (one might say heavy-handedly!) symbolic. What is it and what effect does it have on your reading of the play? a.​ Guelfo shatters a mirror. To me this symbolizes that Guelfo has tried to kill his reflection, which does not help, he still sees his brother in himself and still plans to carry out his plan to kill his brother. 7. At the end of Act IV, Scene 4, Guelfo essentially admits to the deed — how do you read this monologue and how do you think he feels? a.​ I read it as he is now able to rest and live peacefully as his brother is now gone. I think Guelfo is satisfied with himself and is trying not to think of the repercussions by saying he does not care what happens to him. 8. In Act IV, Scene 5, all Guelfo wants to do is sleep. So in one way he’s at peace, but in another, he’s no better off than he was before. Can you think of any way that murdering Ferdinando has changed Guelfo? a.​ I think killing his brother made Guelfo go insane. He put all his problems on his brother, it seems like Guelfo is confused to why the death did not heal him. He even likes that Grimaldi is scared and sick to his stomach over this. 9. What is Old Guelfo’s rationale for killing Guelfo instead of letting him be charged with fratricide? a.​ I think Old Guelfo’s rationale for killing guelfo instead of letting him be charged was he did not want his evil “stain” of a son to stain their families legacy and he believed that was too big of a burden to bare. I also think he believed Guelfo was genuinely cursed and cursed the family, he thinks he  is righting the wrongs. Additionally, Old Guelfo believes they are too rich and powerful to let his son get charged and shame their name. Scene 1: 1.​ What do the fairies, elves and other mystical creatures seek to do for Faust as he lies there in the beautiful green wilderness? (Hint: At one point, Ariel chants: Calm all the fierce resistance of his heart/Remove the bitter barbs of sharp remorse…) a.​ They try to wake Faust up and remove the pain and hurt from him.. 2.​ Faust wakes up! He seems like he’s in a pretty good mood. What do you think is putting him in such a good mood? a.​ I think he is in such a good mood because he is surrounded by so much nature, beauty and that the deal with the devil has worked, he is now young again. and he feels he has had a rebirth. Scene 2: Warning: as a test I asked ChatGPT to summarize this scene for me, and it gave me a deeply incorrect answer. Just saying. Credible plot summaries exist! You can find one. I believe in you. 1.​ What does Mephistopheles (again, a demon from Hell standing in for SATAN in case you’re wondering) do that annoys the Emperor (and also probably you)? ​ He uses riddles as the way he speaks. Makes it incredibly hard to understand him 2.​ How does the Chancellor characterize the current state of the Empire? (starting around line 4785) ​ The Chancellor says that the entire Empire is a nightmare. The legal system is corrupt, it is mob rule, bribery, and debt. 3.​ What, in short, is the main problem of the Empire at present, according to the Treasurer? (starting around line 4835) ​ They have no money. You can’t borrow money, there is too high of interest and the whole Empire is broke. 4.​ Around line 4880, Mephistopheles (in disguise, ironically, as the Emperor’s new “fool”) plays, ahem, Devil’s advocate. How does his characterization of the Empire contrast with everyone who works for the Emperor? ​ Mephistopheles’ characterization is different from the others who work for the Emperor because he says there  is nothing wrong or lacking in the Empire which is so different than everyone else in the empire’s opinions. 5.​ Around 4890, Mephistopheles has a “brilliant” idea about how to fix the Empire’s financial problems. What is it? (And what could go wrong, she asked sarcastically?) ​ Mephistopheles's great idea is to get more gold. And recognize that there is gold “everywhere” found and unfound. 6.​ Around 4930, Mephistopheles agrees to “fix” the financial problems using the brilliant [ANSWER TO #7], but then he says, in his trademark annoying riddle: “Easy it’s true, but then easy things weigh more.” What do you think this means? ​ I think this means what seems like the easiest solution can come with larger consequences down the line. Getting more money/gold seems easy right now, but having worthless paper with no gold to match it is a harder problem to navigate. 7.​ What is ironic about the Emperor’s threat to Mephistopheles around line 5005? ​ The irony is Mephistopheles is from hell, so he would technically just be goinghome. 8.​ What deadline does the Emperor set for (spoiler alert) finding and mining hidden gold through the Empire and then printing money with it? ​ The gold and money must be found and printed by Ash Wednesday. 9.​ What is Mephistopheles’ final warning in Scene 2? ​ Mephistopheles has a “be careful what you wish for moment” and says that if these fools had the Philospher’s Stone they wouldn’t have the brains to use it. Basically I think he is warning them that they are missing crucial steps to this “genius plan”. Scene 3: 1.​ The first several pages of this scene basically boil down to one thing: This is a big, huge, giant, wild party. Accordingly you may SKIM TO p 238. I said what I said! The main point of all this is: This Emperor likes to turn it out. (This may be connected to the “empty coffers” from Scene 2, I don’t know.) You don’t really have to understand the details of these beginning moments, but I’d like you to hazard a guess as to why Goethe writes in characters dressed as the  three Graces, the three Fates and the three Furies? Who are these in Greek mythology; what is their general purpose and what purpose do you think they could serve here? a.​ The three Graces represent beauty, the three fates represent controlling your destiny, and the three furies represent vengeance. I think Goethe writes these characters dressed as these greek mythological characters to show the courts want for beauty, the need to know/control your own destiny, and what happens if you dont read the fine print. I think it could be satirical to how unaware the emperor and his subjects really are. 2.​ A lot of hullabaloo about this chariot and who’s in it. Start paying careful attention again around 5555 and tell me which supernatural entity has come to this party? Who is this (you’re going to have to Google something, sorry.) a.​ Plutus the God of Riches. Plutus is a Greek God known to be the personification of wealth. 3.​ OH SNAP! Plutus is HUMAN! He’s a human with magical powers! He’s a human we are supposed to know very well. (around line 5710) WHO IS ‘PLUTUS’ really? a.​ Plutus is Faust in disguise. 4.​ What does “Plutus” conjure for the revelers that causes them to be really excited (5710-5725) a.​ Plutus conjured up a chest of fake golden coins, treasure, and jewels. 5.​ What does “Plutus” then ALSO conjure with a wand to keep the crowd back from the other thing he showed them (aka the answer to Q 15, ll 5740-55)? a.​ Plutus conjured up a circle of fire with his wand to keep the crowd away the chest he conjured up previously. 6.​ Now a bunch of other mythical creatures -- satyrs, gnomes, nymphs; great googley moogley this play IS RIDICULOUS! WHY? WHY GOETHE WHY? I promise it’s important, though, because all these jabronis are ushering in yet another supernatural being who has a secret to hide: PAN. Who’s pan and what does he look like? a.​ Pan is the masked Emperor/ a god in disguise ( Great Pan). He is wearing a mask and has a beard 7.​ OH SNAP!!! Pan is ALSO a human in disguise! How is this disguise removed by force, and who is he really? (ll. 5925-5960) a.​ Plutus eggs the Herald on to have the dwarves lead Pan to the firey fountain. Pan is interested in what he sees, so he leans in more to the firey fountain and his beard catches on fire. After his beard is burnt off it is revealed he is the Emperor.  8.​ How does “Plutus” fix the fire and save “Pan”? a.​ He fills the air with a mist to stop the flames. Basically Plutus conjures up water with a breeze to help the firey flames retreat. For Faust II, Act I Scene 4: The jig is up and everyone is back in their undisguised form (except, you know, the devillll). Pay exceedingly special attention to every instance of the word “paper” that appears in this scene. 1.​ All of the Emperor’s staff (attendants? Cabinet? You know what I mean) come rushing in to tell him some great news. What is this great news? (beginning around l. 6035) ​ Some of the debt the emperor held was paid and the Army agreed to serve again. 2.​ What is the first appearance of the word “paper” in this scene, what is the context in which its said, and what is being said about it? Why do you think this might be important? ​ The word “paper” was first used in line 6055 in the context of “ this paper is worth a thousand crowns or so”. I think they are saying the paper has value and the currency should continue. This is important because they created a currency that is a substitute for the buried treasure they have not found. 3.​ The Treasurer then explains how this magic-seeming paper came about -- suddenly everyone is exchanging it for goods and services, successfully, without any actual real gold in sight. IT’S PAPER MONEY! OH SNAP! Here’s the weird thing about that, though. If this paper money only may or may not represent actual gold somewhere…and yet it also seems (FOR NOW) to have solved the Empire’s money problems…what does this say about the actual worth of paper money? ​ The actual worth of the money is what the officials make of it. The worth of the money is based on the hypothetical hidden treasure, so the money is probably worth less than they are using it as because they cannot guarantee to find this gold they keep talking about. 4.​ Around 6110, Faust explains how paper money “works” to the Emperor. Could you do your absolute best college try to put what he’s saying into normal human words?  ​ I interpreted Faust as saying that the worth of the money is how much the ruler dedicates t to be worth because there is no limit to the worth of paper money. The paper money is also based on treasures unseen, so the money is worth however much the hidden hypothetical treasures are worth. 5.​ How does Mephistopheles encourage the new “fool” (this Emperor’s court has too many people in it!!!) to act now that paper money is a thing? ​ Mephistopheles encouraged the fool to act boldly to buy his cow, cottage and field. He says the paper money is just worth what he is owed and that he should spend it how he sees fit as it would make him nothing but happy to see him succeed. 6.​ OK, you are (thankfully) done with the reading-Goethe part of this literary-financial journey. However, you have one more thing to think about, which is: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG WITH THIS AMAZING NEW SYSTEM? ​ This could crash and burn once the citizens realize there may not even be any actual gold in circulation anymore. Or they could “uncover” the spot where the treasure is hidden and find there is nothing there. Both ways the empire could become worse than their original state because they are relying on the hopes of finding more money and using the paper as a temporary solution. For the Irish Times article: 1. What was Goethe's financial background? a.​ Goethe was born into a rich family. He had a thriving family business and marriages that worked out in his family’s favor. 2. What surprising item did Goethe spend a substantial portion of his money on? a.​ He spent 15% of his income on wine. 3. How did Goethe defend his "spendthrift ways"? a.​ He said his spendthrift ways were crucial for his personality development. 4. What the WHAT? Goethe, the "German Shakespeare," had a high-ranking government job! What was it??  a.​ He was the Finance minister of the duchy of Saxe-Weimar. 5. Oh look, the profligate Emperor from Faust II is based on a real person. Who was this real person, and why did Goethe find him deeply suspicious? This should not be even a slight surprise. a.​ King Louis XV of France had tried to stimulate the french economy by printing money. I think this is where he got the idea for the emperor. 6. Kind Derek has done a great job of summarizing the (non-reanimated-corpse-of-Helen-of-Troy related) plot of the rest of Faust II so we don't have to read it. Unsurprisingly, what happens to this Empire's economy after everyone goes a little to wild with the printed paper currency? a.​ They still had no money, and the parties left them with no wine. The phantom money created inflation and an economic disaster loomed. 7. How is 2012-era Bundesbank president Jens Wiedmann like a modern-day version of the chancellor from Faust II? a.​ He warned that unlimited bond buying was a Faustian pact. And a link of credit aesthetics and persuasion economics. 8. What is an interesting fact about the German word for "debt"? a.​ Debt also means guilt. 9. What do you think Jean-Claude Trichet meant when he said that paper money produces both the "best and the worst" of the economic sphere? a.​ I think it means that the best is that it is convenient and easy to produce. But also the worst part is that you can’t just keep printing money because it becomes worthless if there is too much in circulation. 10. What is alchemy and why is paper money sometimes referred to as a type of alchemy? a.​ Alchemy is the historical form of chemistry that attempted to turn other metals into gold. I think paper money is sometimes referred to as a type of alchemy because it is trying to turn something that is not super valuable into something worth value. Amadeus 1.​ What does Salieri insist he has done—before he slits his own throat, and then again as he is talking to the priest? a.​ Salieri thinks he has killed Motzart. 2.​ What is Mozart doing when Salieri first catches sight of him (17:00)? a.​ He is chasing the girl who will be his future wife around the palace. 3.​ How does Salieri describe Mozart’s music around 23:00? a.​ Mozart’s music is like the voice of god through an obscene child. 4.​ What is the recurring criticism of Mozart’s work (for example, Emperor Josef II Links to an external site. says it around 44:00)? a.​ There are too many notes. 5.​ What does Salieri find astounding about the “originals” Constanze Mozart brings him in order to gain Mozart favor for the job teaching the princess (59:00)? a.​ There are no corrections. Every piece is complete as soon as his quil hits the paper. 6.​ What causes Salieri to remove the crucifix from his wall and renounce God (1:08)? a.​ God would not give him devine musical talents, he gave him Motzart’s woman. 7.​ What’s the controversy surrounding The Marriage of Figaro Links to an external site.? a.​ It was a play about overthrowing the overclass. Marie Antoinette hated it. 8.​ What causes Emperor Josef II to ask, puzzled, “Is it modern?” (1:45)? 9.​ What “miracle” happens during the premiere of The Marriage of Figaro (1:48)? a.​ The emperor yawns. 10.​What was the inspiration for Don Giovanni a.​ Mozart’s father died Links to an external site.? 11.​What disguise does Salieri don in order to scare the everloving bejeezus out of Mozart (2:02)? a.​ A black mask that is both in the front and back. and cloak with a cape. 12.​What makes Mozart start to lose touch with reality (2:20)? 13.​How did The Magic Flute Links to an external site. come about? (2:15-2:30) 14.​What reason does Mozart give Constanze for not being able to finish the Requiem Links to an external site.? (2:22) 15.​What does Salieri do to help Mozart finish the Requiem? a.​ He writes for Mozart as he lays in bed sick. 16.​How is Mozart buried? a.​ His body is dumped out of the coffin, placed with a whole group of corpses in a trench, blessed by a priest then covered in white powder.  1.​ What has caused the whole of society to fall apart into two classes (p.1)? a.​ The division of makers vs owners ( Property owners and propertyless workers) has split society into two classes. 2.​ How does political economy take for granted what it is supposed to explain (p. 1)? a.​ Political economy proceeds from the fact of private property. It fails to explain the reason for the division between labor and capital and rather grasps the ideals of private property. 3.​ What are the “wheels” that political economy sets in motion (pp. 1-2)? a.​ Greed and the war of the avaricious (competition). 4.​ Why does the worth of a person become poorer the more wealth he produces (p 2)? a.​ The devaluation of the human world grows in direct proportion to the increase in the value of the world of things. As the worker produces more, his production increases, so he becomes cheaper because he is more efficient making the production of the product cheaper. 5.​ What is the relationship between the devaluation of people and the increasing value of things (p. 2)? a.​ It is a direct proportion. Labor produces commodities as well as itself and the workers as a commodity. As their commodities increase, the people are valued based on the commodities they produce therefore devaluing the person. 6.​ How does the “objectification” of labor work (p. 2)? a.​ The worker’s labor is represented as the object they create. As the labor is turned into a product, there is a loss of ownership for the worker creating alienation as the product never belongs to the worker, but someone else (the owner or consumer). 7.​ What are the two ways a worker deprives himself of the “means of life” (p. 3)? a.​ The sensuous external world becomes less and less an object belonging to his labor, a means of life of his labor and it becomes less and less a means of life in the immediate sense, a means for the physical subsistence of the worker. 8.​ How does political economy conceal the estrangement inherent in the nature of labor (p. 3)? a.​ By ignoring the direct relationship between the worker (labor) and production. Labor is great for the rich but produces human necessities for the worker. 9.​ How is estrangement present in the ACT of production (as opposed to its objects) (pp. 3-4)?  a.​ Because if the product of labor is alienation, it must be active alienation, the alienation of activity. The estrangement of the object of labor merely summarizes the estrangement, the alienation in the activity of labor itself. 10.​What are three things that constitute the alienation of labor (beg. P. 4, goes on for a bit, unsurprisingly)? a.​ Labor is external to the worker (does not belong to his essential being). The relationship to labor and his being, stating that labor is forced because he is not at home or feeling himself. Man is acting purely on his animal functions as a worker, he is not leaning into his human functions. 11.​What remains of human freedom once labor is alienated (p. 6)? a.​ It makes a man's life a means of his physical existence. He is estranged from being a man in his essence. 12.​How does estranges labor estrange man from his own species (beginning on p. 6)? a.​ It estranges man from his own species because it creates a hierarchy of who has power over who. The worker does not get to relish in his product's success or enjoy it, but rather get onto the next product as another man holds the power of enjoying the product. His relationship to the product then reflects his relationship with other men. 13.​How does “the estrangement of man from man” come about (p. 6)? a.​ The worker’s relationship with men gets strained when there is a hierarchy of who is in power, who is the master, who has the freedom to dictate their life, and who is under the rule and service of another man. 14.​How does private property result from alienated labor (p. 8)? a.​ Private property arises when someone else does the work for you. Capitalist success is driven by the use of workers, and the produce and result of alienated labor is private property with the use of estranged labor and estranged men. 15.​Why are raises and wage equality not a viable solution to alienated labor (p. 8)? a.​ It would only transform the relation of the present-day worker to his work into the relation of all men to work. Society would be conceived as abstract capital. The wages increasing does not stop the power dynamic of worker and owner. What is polemic? a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something. Luthers 95 theses 1.​ Who was Franz Kafka, where and when did he live, and what are a few fun facts about him that you learned just now on Dr. Wikipedia by looking him up? 1.​ Franz kafka was an Austrian-Czech novelist and writer from Prague. He was a major figure in 20th century literature, died at the age of 40 in Austria. Was influemced by Dostoevsky and Nietzche. 2.​ ANOTHER fun fact: the German word for “metamorphosis” is Verwandlung, which literally means “transformation,” a far vaguer term that does not necessarily have a connotation in the insect/animal kingdom. Why do you think nearly all English translations use the word “metamorphosis” instead? 1.​ I think it was the closest way to translate the German word into English for an English person to understand what was happening within the story. I think that since there is no direct translation, the translator had to get creative in trying to convey Kaftka’s intended meaning. 3.​ What significance (hint: there is significance) do you assign the portrait of the lady in fur Gregor keeps in his room (p. 89 OG, p. 3 new version)? i.​ It represents his pre-transformation identity. This symbolizes how the transformation is taking over him just as the fur is taking over the woman. I believe the picture represents his only connection to humanity, he is not close with anyone else in his life and he lived the same tiring life everyday as a traveling sales man. I think this image represents who he wanted to be/ who he wanted to be with before he transformed 4.​ What is the first thing Gregor gets upset about after realizing he’s been transformed (p. 90, “Heavenly Father!” OG, p. 4 "Oh God" new translation)? What significance do you think this has to the rest of the story? i.​ Gregor’s initial realization is that he hates his job and that it is quite grueling. Then he realizes he is late for work and no one to work there. I think the realization of his dislike for his job will set the story up to the realization he is doing everything for everyone else in his life and that he has let others dictate what he should be doing and forfeited meaningful connection. 5.​ How does the sensation of pain figure into the early parts of this story (p. 90 OG, p. )? 1.​ This question confuses me, but my best guess is that pain represents him understanding what his past life was to him and now learning the new pains of his life. I think this shows there is pain in your life regardless of the state or time you are in.  6.​ What do you make of Gregor’s ability to talk (or inability to talk) in the first part of the story? (p. 91, “horrible twittering squeak” in OG, "insistent distressed chirping" p. 5 new translation)? 1.​ He can speak but his voice is squeaky and changed. He can speak if he takes his time and really pronounces everything otherwise if he moves too fast it'll come out incoherent. 7. Who comes to the Samsa house to see what’s wrong with Gregor, and what is a witty one-liner about him in regards to how he feels about worker wellness (hint: p. 91, “perfectly healthy malingerers,” look up malingerers, I do not love that translation tbh; "perfectly healthy but afraid to work," p. 5 new translation and significantly better)? i.​ Gregor’s manager shows up to the Samsa house because he was not on the early train. “I hope its nothing serious” and then he continues in a long winded sentences why the business is important to be top of mind. It is clear that the manager does not care about the well-being of employees rather butts in seats. 7.​ After Gregor’s long monologue to the Chief Clerk/manager (pp. 92-93 OG, pp. 11-13 new ) goes un-understood, how does the Chief Clerk characterize Gregor’s voice? 1.​ “The voice of an animal” 8.​ Beginning on p. 101 (p. 14 new), Gregor’s new form is finally revealed to his family and his boss. How does… 1.​ …his boss react? “Oh!” hand pressed over his mouth, repulsed. 2.​ …his mother? Super shocked, sank to the floor 3.​ …his father? Clinched his fists as if he was going to fight Gregor then sobbed uncontrollably. 9.​ Kafka is said to have found this story funny—hilarious, in fact. Is there anything in this first section you find funny? What, and why? 1.​ I haven’t found anything funny other than the fact that Gregor is like a 6 foot tall bug. I think this story is sad so far, his family is so in his business and wrapper up in their own drama they don’t even seem to care for him that he is a bug. 10.​What kinds of food does Gregor receive to try and what happens? What kind of food does he end up preferring? (pp. 23-24 Corngold, PLEASE SWITCH to this translation now) 1.​ Gregor’s favorite was a bowl of fresh milk with white bread floating in it. Gregor ends up preferring garbage instead of his favorite foods. 11.​What are Gregor's feelings about his "empty high-ceilinged room" (p. 23)?  1.​ It made him nervous he prefers the smaller area under the couch. 12.​Does Gregor's family think he can still understand language even though he can't speak? (p. 26) Why is this important? 1.​ No they think he can no longer understand language. This is important because now the family talks about things that they would not speak about if Gregor was in earshot. They talk about the money that is hidden away and gotten used to Gregor working like a slave for them. 13.​What happens when Gregor's sister accidentally catches sight of him? (p. 30) 1.​ She is repulsed by the way he looks. She does not want to be in the room with him unless the window is open, and she becomes grateful that he hides when she comes in. 14.​What does Gregor decide to "save" in his room that causes his mother and sister to catch sight of him and lose it? (p. 36) 1.​ He saved his picture of the lady in the fur, he did not want to give it up and squatted on it. 15.​What does Gregor's father throw at him after finding out what happened in Question 5? (p. 39) 1.​ His father threw multiple apples at him. 16.​This is going to require some detective work throughout the story: The Samsas go back to work! What does each Samsa get off their heinie to do to earn the money they owe Gregor's boss? How does it change their behavior/feelings about themselves? 1.​ The sister takes a job as a salesgirl while learning stenography and french. The mother starts to sew lingerie. The dad becomes a messenger and wears a fancy outfit. Their depression goes away as they got their job, they still hate that Gregor is a bug. 17.​What does Gregor stop doing (43)? 1.​ Gregor stops sleeping. 18.​Who starts cleaning Gregor's room instead of his mother and sister (pp. 42-43)? 1.​ The cleaning woman. 19.​NOW what does Gregor stop doing (45)? 1.​ He stopped eating. 20.​Who joins the Samsa household (45)? 1.​ Renters. They rent out a room to three identical men with beards. The men were obsessed with neatness. 21.​What causes Gregor to reveal himself to the answers to Question 11? THEN what happens? (49) 1.​ The beautiful violin music his sister was playing. Gregor’s father tried to usher the renters back into their room to block them from  seeing more of Gregor. They then demanded explanations of what was going on with their ‘next door neighbor”. Then they gave notice that they are moving out. 22.​What does the family decide to do as the result of the answer to Question 12? (pp. 50-52) 1.​ The sister says “They have to get rid of it” i.e. he has to die. 23.​What are Gregor's last words? (54) 1.​ “And now?” 24.​HOW DOES THIS STORY END omg? Did you expect this? Why or why not? (pp 56-58) 1.​ His family has a day off. They are having a great life. I did expect this, his parents and sister never gave him a chance and were always either mooching off of him, trying to hide him, or annoyed at his existence. Now his sister is expected to carry the pressure she did. This was also expected, the parents care about themselves and their wellbeing the most, they do not care about their children more than are they out of their way.