Review of: Sebastian Zilles: Die Schulen der Männlichkeit. Männerbünde in Wissenschaft und Literatur um 1900. Köln u.a.: Böhlau Verlag 2018.

Abstract

Around 1900, there is an intense debate in the German-language literature with male circles [Männerbünde]. Using the example of canonical texts by Robert Musil, Thomas and Heinrich Mann, and Franz Werfel, Sebastian Zilles examines which literary methods are used and what conclusions this raises for the so-called crisis of masculinity. Methodically conceived as a link between masculinity studies and literary studies, the knowledge about male circles [Männerbünde] and masculinity in science and literature is reflected at the turn of the century. The crisis of masculinity is interpreted as a consequence of excessive military-social disciplinary efforts on the one hand and rigid, anti-modern and anti-feminist masculinity utopias on the other.