Technology, Utopia and Scholarly Life: Ideals and Realities in the Work of Hermann Hesse

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. School of Educational Studies and Leadership
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2009
Authors
Roberts, P.
Abstract

This article considers the relationship between technology, utopia and scholarly life in Hermann Hesse’s novel, The Glass Bead Game. In the first part of Hesse’s book, the Glass Bead Game and the society of which it is a part, Castalia, are portrayed in idealistic terms. The second part of the novel chronicles the educational life of Joseph Knecht, who progresses through Castalia’s elite schooling system, learns to play the Glass Bead Game, and is eventually appointed to the supreme position of Magister Ludi (Master of the Game). Knecht’s words, thoughts, relationships, and deeds pose a challenge to the narrator’s idealistic portrait, with important implications for scholars and educationists. It is argued that The Glass Bead Game combines utopian and dystopian elements. The book shows why it is necessary to hold on to scholarly ideals while also recognising educational and social realities.

Description
Citation
Roberts, P. (2009) Technology, Utopia and Scholarly Life: Ideals and Realities in the Work of Hermann Hesse. Policy Futures in Education, 7(1), pp. 65-74.
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::47 - Language, communication and culture::4705 - Literary studies::470517 - Literature in German
Field of Research::16 - Studies in Human Society::1699 - Other Studies in Human Society::169999 - Studies in Human Society not elsewhere classified
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