Summary Man without properties
Robert Musil
Man without properties
Book 1. Part 1. My own Introduction
The novel takes place in Vienna in 1913. The main character, the thirty-two-year-old Ulrich, a mathematician and an exalted dreamer, an intellectual and a cynic, already tired of himself and of the world, lives a bright but disorderly life. He does not have to take care of the daily bread due to the wealth and connections of his father, who started with being a home teacher and assistant lawyer, but over time he made a brilliant career and was honored that His Majesty bestowed on him a hereditary nobility. When Ulrich once again asks himself what to do, he receives a letter from his father to the Earl of Stalburg, who, according to his father, will take care of the future of his son. The father informs Ulrich that in 1918 in Germany the celebration of the thirty-year reign of Emperor Wilhelm II will take place,
Part 2. Happens the same.
Ulrich, at the insistence of his father, meets
Alas, nothing good can come up with neither the luminaries of science, nor venerable writers. Then the salon doors open for the bohemian youth, whose often insane ideas are embarrassed even by such a seasoned minister of the mind as Diotima. Ulrich, in addition to his will involved in the activities of the “committee”, although he notices all the vapidity and emptiness of these undertakings, nonetheless does not like the arrogant Arnheim and tries to influence the cousin, but passion makes her blind. She confesses to Ulrich that Arnheim persuades her to abandon her husband and become his wife, and only a holy sense of duty and service to the “great idea” prevent her from fulfilling his desire. Ulrich, very experienced in love affairs, is simultaneously attracted and repelled by this ardent, self-confident and powerful woman. But here, as in everything else, there is a certain bifurcation of his thoughts and feelings. Fluttering, exalted, Clarissa wants Ulrich, and not Walter, her husband, to become the father of their child, calling him “a man without properties,” and says that he always does the exact opposite of what he really wants. Not believing in the success of the “parallel action”, understanding its futility and sterility, Ulrich nevertheless tries to win over to his side ideological opponents. He learns that Gerda, the daughter of his old acquaintance Leo Fishel, the manager of Lloyd Bank, takes part in meetings of mystical young Germans and anti-Semites, led by Hans Zepp. Ulrich meets Zepp and tries to find out if this enthusiastic maniac from politics, with his delusional and dangerous ideas, can breathe life into a “parallel action”. However, Ulrich is also motivated by a latent desire to conquer Gerd, this aggressive virgin, who, as he guessed, has long been in love with him, although he does not want to admit it to himself. And again Ulrich does not know what he really wants. When Gerda comes to him to tell the important news (from her father, she learns that Arnheim, this “profound financier,” uses the “parallel action” as a cover to take control of his concern Galician oilfields), Udrich takes possession of it without testing At the same time, not the slightest desire, Everything that happens to Ulrich happens as if in spite of his will, but he, even realizing his inner indifference to everything that happens to him, never tries to resist what is happening and limply swims on the river. All this time, the public’s attention has been focused on the process of Moosbruger, a mentally disabled vagabond who killed women. Newspapers relish the number of wounds inflicted by Moosbruger prostitute – she pestered him on the street. And she was so intrusive that, as Moosbruger later admitted, he committed a murder, defending himself against something dark and formless. The story of a crazy vagabond deeply disturbs Ulrich: in his mind he feels the same destructive work that made the poor carpenter a killer. Meanwhile, the situation is exacerbating. Pro-German circles organize a demonstration of protest against the “parallel action”, and Ulrich, watching the procession of fierce people, takes refuge in disgust. He admits to himself that he can no longer participate in all this, but he is also incapable of rebelling against such a life. Refusing Arnheim’s offer to become his personal secretary, and hence, from the prospect of a brilliant career, Ulrich wants to be away from both the economy and politics. And suddenly he receives a cryptic telegram from his father: “I inform you about my subsequent death.” Ulrich leaves.
Book 2. Part 3. THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM (CRIMINALS)
(From published posthumously)
In the parental home, he meets his sister Agatha, with whom he gradually develops a spiritual intimacy that threatens to develop into passion. Agatha is married for the second time, but she is going to leave her husband, Professor Hagauer. Her bright mind, sensuality and cheerful cynicism so attract Ulrich that he is going through a “different state” that he did not know before. Trying to understand his thoughts and desires, he spends whole days alone with his sister, believing everything that his mind gives birth to; he is confused by so pure and “not endowed with appetite” attachment. Ulrich dreams of a “Millennial Kingdom” in which all feelings and actions will support mutual love. Gradually, their relationship with his sister is increasingly entangled, go to a dead end, from which there is no way out. In the same dead end, there is also a “parallel action”, despite the attempts of Aeynsdorf to continue the search for a “great idea”. Arnheim moves away from Diotima, from now on she despises him, believing that he is frightened of her spiritual power, and discovers a new hobby – “sexual science.” Ulrich and Agatha retire and cease to receive acquaintances. They walk, conduct conversations and are increasingly imbued with immensely sympathy for each other. Dreams of love are closer to them than physical attraction, the body shell is too tight, and therefore nature itself is incapable of giving them the sweetness of the desired union. They walk, conduct conversations and are increasingly imbued with immensely sympathy for each other. Dreams of love are closer to them than physical attraction, the body shell is too tight, and therefore nature itself is incapable of giving them the sweetness of the desired union. They walk, conduct conversations and are increasingly imbued with immensely sympathy for each other. Dreams of love are closer to them than physical attraction, the body shell is too tight, and therefore nature itself is incapable of giving them the sweetness of the desired union.
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