RamirezAna Ramirez Mrs. Delgado English 2331-20ZA 20 July 2016 Death in Venice Draft The story Death in Venice by Thomas Mann, is a timeless novella, and is considered one of his best works. The main character Gustav von Aschenbach, struggles between lust and reason throughout the story. The setting primarily takes place in Munich Germany, where he resides, but soon travels to Venice to get away from his stagnant lifestyle. While in Venice, Gustav begins to admire Tadzio who is a young Polish boy. At first this admiration for him is described as though a respect for art but becomes more of a love interest. Why is Venice such a vital setting of the story and how would the story be different if it took place in another city? Although the setting and plot seem to be unrelated, they are actually very similar. Furthermore, the breakdown of the characters and scenes reflect the city of Venice. Mann begins the story in Munich, at this time Germany was on the brink of the First World War. This begins to set the tone for the story. When Aschenbach walks through the cemetery in Munich it creates a mood of gloominess. This gloomy setting reflex’s Aschenbach in that his life is stagnant and describes how he lives his life as an introvert. Thecemetery is possibly a representation of him coming to1
