Newly published diaries written by Samuel Beckett during a six-month journey across Germany in the 1930s challenge the long-held view that the Irish playwright was indifferent to real-life politics, according to details from the newly released notebooks covered by Theguardian.
German Publisher Suhrkamp Publishes Six Notebooks
The six notebooks, compiled between late September 1936 and April 1937, were published for the first time by German publisher Suhrkamp. Spanning 545 pages and 120,000 words, the handwritten diaries were discovered in the cellar of Beckett’s Paris flat after his death in 1989 by his nephew, Edward Beckett. He worked alongside editors Mark Nixon and Oliver Lubrich to bring the material to publication.
Beckett Observes Adolf Hitler and Nazi Propaganda in Hamburg
During a visit to Hamburg in October 1936, Beckett observed the reaction of ordinary citizens to Adolf Hitler and wrote in his diary on October 6: They’ll need to fight soon (or burst)
convinced that peace could not last. Later entries documented his frustration with Nazi propaganda and society, including a note on November 1, 1936, stating: Their Strength Through Joy conversation is killing me.
To cope with totalitarian behavior, Beckett privately mocked the regime by sticking out the wrong arm when expected to give the Nazi salute, according to the diaries.
Mark Nixon Evaluates Beckett as an Eyewitness to Totalitarianism
Mark Nixon, a professor of modern literature and Beckett studies at the University of Reading and co-editor of the notebooks, noted that the author kept his disgust mostly private at the time because he was aware the diaries could have been confiscated. Nixon stated that the writings serve as a personal witness statement from an eyewitness to totalitarianism, offering crucial context for Beckett’s later decision to join the French resistance in 1940.
AOL Reports on Beckett’s Personal Anguish and Brothel Visits
Alongside political observations, the diaries capture Beckett’s deep personal anguish, financial troubles, medical ailments, and writer’s block, as well as unvarnished accounts including brothel visits and misogynistic remarks.
