The Confusions of Young Törless by Robert Musil
The Confusions of Young Törless explores the psychological struggle of an adolescent boy as he attempts to make sense of conflicting feelings and desires. The novel is set in a boarding school in a remote part of the Austrian Empire at the turn of the twentieth century. When he first goes to the school, Törless is desperately homesick. Later, his homesickness becomes less acute, but "its disappearance did not bring a long-awaited feeling of contentment but left a void inside young Törless." In short, his longing for home and his parents had been a source of support, an ordering of his world, and when it subsides he is left with nothing. "Törless now felt extremely dissatisfied and looked around in vain for something new he could use for support."
In time, he forms some new friendships. His new friends, however, "Were the very worst in his year, talented, to be sure, and naturally from a good background, but sometimes wild, unruly, and even brutal." Under their influence Törless visits prostitutes; he becomes aware of the contrast between the "Bright everyday world, which was all he had known until now" and another world: "stifling, surging, passionate, naked, destructive," and he sees the ease with which a person can pass from one to the other. This other world is repellent, but also mysteriously alluring; Törless is both appalled and attracted. In this condition, through his relationship with two of his friends, he winds up acquiescing and even participating in the sadistic treatment and homosexual exploitation of a third pupil. In the end, Törless learns to describe his feelings, and begins to understand them and move on. The novel ends with his withdrawal from the school.
The Confusions of Young Törless is a complex, fascinating, and sometimes disturbing book. It is not easy, nor does it offer a barrel of laughs, but it is definitely worth reading. I certainly recommend it.
In time, he forms some new friendships. His new friends, however, "Were the very worst in his year, talented, to be sure, and naturally from a good background, but sometimes wild, unruly, and even brutal." Under their influence Törless visits prostitutes; he becomes aware of the contrast between the "Bright everyday world, which was all he had known until now" and another world: "stifling, surging, passionate, naked, destructive," and he sees the ease with which a person can pass from one to the other. This other world is repellent, but also mysteriously alluring; Törless is both appalled and attracted. In this condition, through his relationship with two of his friends, he winds up acquiescing and even participating in the sadistic treatment and homosexual exploitation of a third pupil. In the end, Törless learns to describe his feelings, and begins to understand them and move on. The novel ends with his withdrawal from the school.
The Confusions of Young Törless is a complex, fascinating, and sometimes disturbing book. It is not easy, nor does it offer a barrel of laughs, but it is definitely worth reading. I certainly recommend it.