''Confusion'' (German: ''Verwirrung der Gefühle''), also known in English under the titles ''Confusion of Feelings'' or ''Episode in the Early Life of Privy Councillor D.'' is a 1927 novella by the Austrian writer
Stefan Zweig. It tells the story of a student and his friendship with a professor. It was originally published in the omnibus volume ''Conflicts: Three Tales'', together with two other Zweig novellas, ''
Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman
''Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman'' (german: Vierundzwanzig Stunden aus dem Leben einer Frau) is a 1927 novella by the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig. It was filmed in 1931, 1944, 1952, 1968, and 2002. A television movie was telecast in 19 ...
'' and ''Untergang eines Herzens''. It was included on
Le Monde
''Le Monde'' (; ) is a French daily afternoon newspaper. It is the main publication of Le Monde Group and reported an average circulation of 323,039 copies per issue in 2009, about 40,000 of which were sold abroad. It has had its own website si ...
's
100 Books of the Century list.
Plot
Roland, the narrator, begins the story after he becomes an English professor years after the central action takes place. Roland explains that he was a poor student and how he would end up intoxicated on the streets of Berlin. His father then sends him off to university in the country.
:''Confusion is the account of
..Roland, who has become enamored of the intellectual, bewildering, and isolated world of his greatest idol — his college professor. Roland gravitates toward the secluded home of his professor, the seclusion prompted by the fear of having his secret revealed. The novella, referencing the Greats (writers and philosophers alike) blurs all three of the greatest distinctions of love of the Ancient Greeks:
Philia,
Èros, and
Agápe, although the novella does not address them explicitly.”
''
See also
*
1927 in literature
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1927.
Events
*January – The Books Kinokuniya (紀伊國屋書店) bookstore business is established in Tokyo.
* February 4 – Gertrude Stein is honored by the ' ...
*
Austrian literature
Austrian literature () is mostly written in German, and is closely connected with German literature.
Origin and background
From the 19th century onward, Austria was the home of novelists and short-story writers, including Adalbert Stifter, ...
References
1927 German-language novels
Austrian novels
Novellas by Stefan Zweig
Novels with gay themes
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