OK – we’re into week two of the readalong of “Berlin Alexanderplatz” and it’s time to share my thoughts on chapters 3 – 5. Again, this is a section of around 100 pages (well, slightly more) in my edition, and so theoretically quite manageable, though I have to say I think I read 350-odd pages of Golden Age crime more rapidly than this… Anyway, onto the questions from Lizzy and here’s what I’m thinking so far,
1. What do you make of Döblin’s structuring of the novel? The short summaries at the beginning of each chapter, each section? The montage technique?
The structure of the novel is interesting, and as I’ve mentioned, reading Dos Passos recently has meant I’ve coped quite well. I like the little summaries at the beginning of the chapters, and the descriptions of the sections; however the montage technique is a little different. In Dos Passos, the main narrative was split into sections relating to specific characters which was fairly linear. This was interspersed with montage and news sections as contrast. However, Doblin’s narrative often has these elements mixed together, and the montage is less fragmented than Dos Passos but perhaps more invasive in respect of the main narrative. So the techniques are different but equally interesting and not too difficult for me to read. What *is* difficult to deal with is the next question…
2. Women and the treatment of women in Berlin Alexanderplatz …. Discuss.
Frankly, I wouldn’t have wanted to be a women in Weimar Berlin – or at least in this book. They’re beaten, raped, murdered, manipulated and generally badly treated. Whether this is an accurate portrayal of the period or just of the particular milieu Doblin wants to capture I don’t know, but I’m not liking that aspect. I don’t think I’ve come across one positive portrayal of a woman so far, and I find that a struggle. Franz is a bit of a bastard, frankly, and if he *does* have a happy ending in the book he certainly doesn’t deserve it. I won’t say what he deserves… And Reinhold, who comes up in the next question, is just vile. Women are treated as things to be used, abused, passed on and discarded. Not a good situation really.
3. This section introduces Reinhold, who will prove to be Franz Biberkopf’s main antagonist. What do you think of Biberkopf’s initial underestimation of Reinhold?
Franz is a very arrogant and stupid man tbh. He completely fails to grasp what Reinhold is actually like, tries to take control of the man and his lovelife, and this section ends with Reinhold being revealed as completely unlike Franz had perceived him. As well as being a pig towards women, he’s also a nasty and hardened criminal. It seems that Franz in many ways has met his match, and it’s also odd that Franz is so blind regarding the reality of the criminal activities going on around him. As I said, he’s a bit stupid…
4. What was the highlight of this section for you? What the lowlight?
The highlight of the section (and in fact the book so far) has been the vivid picture of the city. Doblin really captures Berlin in a state of flux, being rebuilt after the defeat of the First World War (something of a touchstone, and an event that recurs in the narrative). The montage parts of the prose capture the modern, bustling world with adverts and signs and people constantly trying to sell something new. That part of the book is very successful. The low point is of course the treatment of women; if I’m honest, I might have abandoned the book already because of that if it wasn’t for the readalong.
I also have to confess to having skimmed a chunk of this section as it was all about slaughterhouses. I’m sorry, but as a vegan I just couldn’t… I imagine this means I’m missing something, as I’m presuming this was meant to represent the treatment the humans are receiving in the Germany of the time, but so be it.
5. Do you have any further observations or questions you’ll be looking to answer at a later stage?
There’s a *lot* of religious imagery and tbh I don’t get that. It may all become clear later on, or maybe not. I mentioned this before, and I’m probably missing stuff; but frankly I don’t have the energy to try to work that out at the moment! If I’m truly honest, I’m not sure as yet what Doblin is trying to *say* with the book, but that may reveal itself as I continue to read – or mabye not!
*****
So, there you go. I guess I must be almost half way through and I *will* try to make it to the end. The book is not always an easy read because of the elements I’ve mentioned, and yet I do like Doblin’s prose style (in this particular translation). Hope the next section will bring more enlightenment… 😉
lizzysiddal
Nov 16, 2019 @ 09:08:55
Yes, it is a hard novel to swallow for so many reasons. I like your use of the word invasive re the montage – spot on. Just when I think I’m getting a grip, my focus is pulled away …
The religious imagery puzzles me too. I think I got a handle on it at some point in the next section. I’ve also found a relevant essay, which I’ll read to double-check myself. You can find it at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/405986?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
lizzysiddal
Nov 16, 2019 @ 09:33:53
I’ve just read it – it’s full of spoilers, so maybe best kept until you’ve finished the novel.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 16, 2019 @ 15:08:40
Oh, ok – will do! 😁😁😁
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 16, 2019 @ 15:08:09
It is. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a struggle in places. I think the montage sections are definitely harder to deal with than Dos Passos. And thank you for the links – I’ll check that out before embarking on the next section…
heavenali
Nov 16, 2019 @ 13:57:40
I like books that capture place so well as this seems to, but I think I would struggle with that portrayal of women. Not sure I would want to spend much time with Franz.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 16, 2019 @ 15:12:50
Yeah, it really is hard to deal with the attitudes to women. I don’t think this would really be one for you Ali, despite the sense of place.
Linda
Nov 16, 2019 @ 15:32:13
The city was the best part for me as well. Just wish there had been more of that and less of the criminal element.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 16, 2019 @ 18:35:36
That’s how I’m feeling at the moment. Or at least less nastiness towards women… ;s
Jonathan
Nov 16, 2019 @ 19:00:31
I started to get into the book more at this stage when I read it. I didn’t manage a review of it but I did post a quote from the end of Book Five—an atypical positive interlude amongst all the grittiness.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 17, 2019 @ 15:07:42
I *do* quite like the philosophical asides. IDK. I really can’t decide whether to push on or not with the book!
Jonathan
Nov 17, 2019 @ 17:20:41
I’d say push on with it. I’m glad I did. I would even like to re-read it again.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 17, 2019 @ 18:44:45
Well, I probably will try! I don’t often give up on a book nowadays! 😀
WordsAndPeace
Nov 16, 2019 @ 22:00:49
good luck! I gave up at 25%, though originally I really liked the beginning. see here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2632671553?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 17, 2019 @ 15:06:13
I must admit to feeling quite conflicted at the moment. I just can’t decide. I’ll have a look at your thoughts to see if that helps me decide!
Caroline
Nov 17, 2019 @ 16:25:53
The most appealing female character is still to come. Franz is so dumb. It’s awful. As for the religion. Döblin was Jewish. When he write Berlin Alexanderplatz he was an atheist but later, and that’s so very interesting to me, he became a Catholic. As I grew up Catholic, I can always sense Catholicism. Even when it’s only in the making, like here. The way he depicts women has elements of the virgin/whore dichotomy. At least, that’s how it felt. I’m beginning to think it would be more interesting to read secondary literature on Berlin Alexanderplatz instead of reading the novel. Btw from book 6 on it picks up speed and gets quite gripping in places.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 17, 2019 @ 16:50:15
That’s good to know – the women and their treatment so far haven’t been very inspiring… And so interesting about the religious element – like you, I’m thinking there must be swathes of literature out there *about* the book which would probably bring more to the table than the actual book does! 😀
lizzysiddal
Nov 19, 2019 @ 09:42:41
It is a book made for doctorates! The secondary literature, that I have found, is fascinating and brings out details that can only pass the reader by on first contact. So a book needing re-reading to appreciate it better …. I think not. Once will suffice.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 19, 2019 @ 10:14:34
I think once will suffice for me too, though I am finding the start of the next section more appealing somehow, and think I will continue…
madamebibilophile
Nov 18, 2019 @ 16:55:01
Sounds challenging in style, content, characterisation… I really admire you for continuing with it! I’m very interested in the Weimar period but I think I’ll wait and see how you get on with the rest of the novel before deciding whether I’ll embark on it or not…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 18, 2019 @ 18:57:56
It *is* challenging, but I’ve dipped my toe into the next section and am oddly finding it very appealing – so I guess I may be moving on with it…. ;D
German Literature Month IX: Author Index – Lizzy's Literary Life
Dec 15, 2019 @ 09:01:42