Abstract

Descent into the Good
Geismar, Maxwell | April 1, 1939 issue

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The article discusses the book "Beware of Pity," by Stefan Zweig. In a provincial garrison town of pre-war Austria, the busily empty days filled with the deliberations of little magistrates, notaries, apothecaries, the sick girl attracts the officer first by her wealth, then by her companionship, and lastly by her disease itself. For the first time in his life Hofmiller feels pity for another human being, and this pity ruins his life. He has the desire to do, good but not the courage Zweig develops this thesis very eloquently, using a dramatic, perhaps even a theatrical story, but through his irony saving himself from sentiment or sententiousness.

See Also:

BEWARE of Pity (Book); ZWEIG, Stefan, 1881-1942; WEALTH; CYNICISM; PHILOSOPHY; SKEPTICISM
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