“Man without Properties” Musil in brief
Book 1. Part 1. YOUR ORGANIZATION 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 Count Leinsdorf and Tuzzi, the head
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 inform the important news, Udirich takes possession of her, without feeling the slightest desire. Everything that happens to Ulrich happens as if he were not his will, but he, even realizing his inner indifference to everything that with it happens, never tries to resist what is happening and limp along the current. 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. Also was so intrusive, that, as Moosbruger later admitted, he committed 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 from his father a cryptic telegram: “
Book 2. Part 3. IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
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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