Dear List,
I'm surprised to have seen no commentary either on this list or in the German press (as far as I am able to follow it from afar) on the seemingly natural comparison between these two authors' relationships to Nazi Germany and the public's corresponding perception of them. I did notice a brief comparison in this context between Heidegger and Grass in Die Presse (Wien) a week ago, but of Juenger nothing at all. As an unabashed fan of Juenger (and someone who always firmly believed in the correctness of both his attitude to the Nazis and towards public justification of this attitude), I find it hard not to view the current controversy with some relish. I don't dislike Grass, I am rather indifferent, but I was disappointed when Grass received the Nobel Prize at a moment when Juenger was another logical candidate who was passed over. Juenger was passed over not because of the quality, originality and contributions to peace of his work, but because of the persistent stereotypes of his purportedly dubious relationship with early National Socialism. When scholars and "ordinary" readers finally begin to occupy themselves with something other than Juenger's early works, this stereotype will slowly erode and his works will be studied and 'studiable' by the public without prejudice. The opposite seems to be true of Grass. In contrast to Juenger's transparency and integrity from early on, despite rather individualistic and unpopular views, Grass said nothing of his own clear enthusiasm (and so late in the war, when the moral aspect of the picture was clear!). In reward for his cowardly but clever silence, he wins the Nobel Peace Prize. And only when his own mortality and conscience begin to threaten him late in life does he risk coming out of the closet. During the same month, judges took away the gold medal from the winner of the last Tour de France for doping and awarded it to the runner-up who ran a clean race. Wouldn't it be satisfying to see the same happen in this other far more important arena? "And the last shall be first, and the first shall be last". Please forgive the honest exposition of pent-up feelings and do refer me to any articles in the press on the above topic. Thanks! Simon K. _______________________________________________ Juenger-list mailing list Juenger-list@juenger.org http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/juenger-list
