Collections in Exile: From 'Die Sammlung' to the Frame Narrative Novel

Speaker: Steffan Davies (University of Bristol) 

The loss of physical collections – notably books – contrasted in exile with a notion of collecting which was expressed in various textual forms. The talk explores the range of meanings in the title of Klaus Mann's prominent but short-lived journal, Die Sammlung, from 'sammeln' (to collect) to 'sich sammeln', suggestive of gathering inner strength. Steffan Davies considers the concept of collecting in anthologies, including Walter Benjamin's Deutsche Menschen, before turning to three literary works in which various forms of collecting play a decisive part: Walter Mehring's Die verlorene Bibliothek, Veza Canetti's Die Schildkröten, and Alfred Döblin's Hamlet. In his talk he explores how far the importance of 'Sammlung' to Mann can be said to extend as a principle, and an aesthetic principle, to exile as a whole. 

Steffan Davies is Associate Professor (Reader) in German at the University of Bristol. His book German Exile in the Age of Nations, 1790-1955, written with the support of a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Grant, is under contract with Camden House. He has published on aspects of exile writing, on Weimar Classicism, and on Alfred Döblin. He is one of the editors of German Life and Letters. 

All are welcome to attend this seminar, organised by the Research Centre for German & Austrian Exile Studies at the ILCS, in person or online (via Zoom). 

Attendance is free, but advance online registration is essential for both in person attendance and online. Please select appropriate ticket type. 

Image: Roman Eisele (via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0)