Book Review: Steppenwolf
Hermann Hesse’s Steppenwolf, a novel about a man in conflict as much with society as himself, was embraced by the counter culture movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Harry Haller’s drug use and contempt for the bourgeoisie and popular culture of the early twentieth century struck a chord with hippies in America.
The title of the book was even adopted as the name of the Canadian-American rock band famous for their hit song, ‘Born to be Wild’. However, as Hesse himself would later point out, alienation is not an irremediable part of his protagonist’s condition. Harry’s journey offers the chance of redemption not only on a personal level but also a social one.
The main events in Steppenwolf are told through Harry’s manuscripts, which have been left to the nephew of the woman whose flat Harry rents during his stay in an unnamed German-speaking town. Upon first meeting the new tenant, the young man is immediately fascinated by him. Describing their unusual encounters, he remarks on Harry’s extreme isolation and the fact that he sometimes refers to himself as Steppenwolf — the wolf of the steppes. This introduction leads to the main part of the book, titled Harry Haller’s Notebooks (For mad people only).
Harry’s manuscripts offer a fascinating insight into the inner workings of a troubled forty-eight-year-old who believes that he is half-man, half-wolf. He draws this conclusion from what he sees as two contrasting aspects of his self: a highly intelligent writer and expert in Mozart and Goethe who is contemptuous of modern civilisation; and a wild beast ‘stalking alone across the plains, occasionally quaffing blood or pursuing a she-wolf’.
‘You ought rather to learn how to listen first, to take seriously what is worth taking seriously, and to laugh about the rest’.
Hermann Hesse
His lonely life takes an interesting turn when he reads a pamphlet given to him by a man advertising a Magic Theatre in the Old Town. The tract eerily describes in detail Harry’s thoughts regarding his dual identity, while also explaining its flaws.
When feeling suicidal shortly after, he meets an enchanting woman called Hermione who seems to understand him better than anyone. She goes about trying to make Harry experience life’s simple pleasures, and in doing so sets him on a path towards the Magic Theatre and potential salvation.
One of the key ideas of the novel is that we essentially consist of multiple selves that are reflected in other human beings, therefore Harry is mistaken in his belief that to become whole he must destroy either his human or animal side. According to Hesse, becoming more human means expanding one’s soul and embracing life, despite its many absurdities and tragedies. It is to share life with one’s fellow man without inhibition.
Hermann Hesse’s exploration of identity and the individual’s place within society is thought-provoking, as are his commentaries on war and modernisation. His pacifist beliefs are channelled through Harry Haller, who like Hesse was once criticised by the right-wing press for writing anti-war articles.
As for the popular culture of the time, though it may be lacking the magnificence that Harry associates with Mozart’s time, Hesse’s view that one should just roll with it is clear to see.
The translation by David Horrocks in the 2012 Penguin edition is also deserving of high praise, for the language is vibrant and gives the text a modern feel.
Steppenwolf is a wonderful novel because, for all of the existential angst of its protagonist and the challenging psychological and philosophical concepts it explores, at its core it’s about not taking oneself or life too seriously. It’s about taking pleasure in the simple things in life that can be so beautiful. It’s about learning to laugh, to dance and to love. It’s learning to live.
My Rating: 5/5
