Blogs
Obsession
Obsession and travel seem to be inseparably linked in the travel novels that we’re reading. In Death in Venice especially, the protagonist’s obsession leads him to stay in Venice much longer than he had anticipated, which causes his death from the Indian cholera. In Daisy Miller, in the Sheltering Sky, and the Sun Also Rises, if not in the other books we’ve read, the main characters deal with obsessions also, though not as prominent as in Death in Venice, which is essentially about obsession. In the context of Daisy Miller, one could argue that Winterbourne is obsessed with Daisy: he follows her to Italy and he seems to think about her unceasingly. In the Sheltering Sky, Port is obsessed with losing himself in his travels, obsessed with escaping from everyday life. Kit also has obsessions: her belief in omens is so strong that it keeps her from thinking rationally. In the Sun Also Rises, Cohn is obsessed with Brett, and Brett has her obsession with Pedro Romero. Moreover, all the characters seem to be obsessed with alcohol.
Aschenbach, or as is he also referred to in the story, the traveler, is fatally obsessed with a young boy by the name of Tadzio whom he sees whilst on vacation. He never speaks to the boy, but watches him constantly, even goes so far as to follow him on several occasions. It’s up for interpretation whether Aschenbach’s feelings towards the boy are of a sexual nature. In my opinion I don’t think he is necessarily sexually attracted to Tadzio, but it’s clear he is obsessed with Tadzio. Obsession is defined as “the domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire.” At one point, Aschenbach is attempting to leave Venice but cannot bring himself to, and then he is forced to acknowledge that he is staying in Venice solely because of his desire to be around Tadzio.
How is obsession related to travel? I think because the traveler is in a situation where they are immersed in a completely different culture, they often feel lost, vulnerable and at the same time attracted to this new exotic world. Often when one is traveling all the rules are thrown out the door, because the traveler is not in their society, so they don’t have to follow their society’s rules. This can lead to a situation like that of Aschenbach and Tadzio, both foreigners in Italy. The situation is not usual for Aschenbach: his obsession with a young polish boy comes completely by surprise.
Obsession and travel seems like an unusual pairing. In reality it may be rare to have the two together, but in fiction it is a common occurence.
Obsession does crop up in
Obsession does crop up in most of the works we have read, it's good to point that out. In addition to obsession being a product of travel I think sometimes travel is the product of obsession, as many of the characters we read about are in search for something, obsessed wtih something. Usually it's some vague ideal and that's probably why the answer is travel, an answer equally vauge.
Obsessed With Travel
In regards to the connection between travel and obsession, I think that sometimes people can become obsessed with the act of traveling itself. Like Sal Paradise in On the Road, some people constantly move around in hopes of finding something new and exciting. Obsessed with this idea, travelers can become somewhat nomadic in their lifestyles. This concept is very prevalent in all of the novels we have read. In Death in Venice, Aschenbach’s obsession with Tadzio leads him to continue to travel instead of returning home. Even when the situation becomes a matter of life and death Aschenbach follows his infatuation with Tadzio and remains in Venice where he ultimately dies. This obsession, like many others, proves to be fatal.
Sexual Obsession
Although I, too, believe that Gustav von Aschenbach had an unhealthy obsession with Tadzio, I have to insist that his infatuation was in fact of the sexual nature. Everything from the way Gustav watches the youth with eyes that he openly admits are filled with love to his obviously sexually driven attempts to improve his appearance reek of pedophilic tension. He even refers to himself as a suitor and a lover. Tadzio’s family notices the elderly man’s attraction to the boy and act accordingly. They are described as being like a guard, circling and protecting him. The barber also recognizes within Gustav a lust that is going unsatisfied and, after finishing Gustav’s makeover, says, “Now the gentleman need have no qualms about falling in love.” He says “in love” specifically to demonstrate that it is a romantic, not a familial love that is being felt. Gustav is completely immersed in his sexual desires for the boy. I really don't see how this fact is negotiable.