Stressful relationships in Thomas Mann's early short prose

C.A.M. Noble labels the male protagonists in Thomas Mann's early short works neurotics. He does not mention, however, that all of the men are driven by egocentric needs, and that the com pulsion to satisfy those needs is the predominant cause for the problems the men encounter in their attempts to relate to women.

Some of the men suffer from lack of self-regard, while others have inflated egos. All seek satisfaction in involvements with women, but the relationships generally provide more distress than gratification. Not only do the emotionally weak males become enamored of women who cannot offer them any relief, but the men also ignore the feelings and problems of their female counterparts. The self-centered males cannot understand why they are therefore shunned by the disappointed women. Death is the result in several stories, but in only one case does the male protagonist die happily. Others die when recognition of their weaknesses overpowers and destroys them. The remaining men survive, living on in indifference or in various degrees of bitterness or despair.

Mann provides a considerable amount of background material for his male characters. Examination of this information will expose the reasons behind the actions and reactions of the suffering, unhappy men.