The Price of Freedom: Identifying the Narrator of Hermann Hesse's Das Glasperlenspiel

The abrupt and shocking conclusion of Hermann Hesse's final novel, , calls out for an explanation. Unfortunately, existing interpretations do little to provide a satisfying understanding of the novel. However, a close examination of the novel's narrative structure and the character of its protagonist lends good reason to doubt the reliability of the narrator—thus allowing for the possibility of a radical reinterpretation. Namely, the implied author of the biography can be identified as Knecht himself. Only then is it possible to see the biography that constitutes the main portion of the novel not as the rise and fall of Josef Knecht, but rather as his quest for and attainment of absolute freedom. In this way, can truly be seen as the crowning achievement and fitting conclusion of Hesse's literary career.

Duke Scholars

Author Nathan Drapela