Death in Venice
Mann, Thomas Mann's original intention was to write about "passion as confusion and degradation" after having been fascinated by the true story of Goethe's love for 18-year-old Baroness Ulrike von Levetzow, which had led Goethe to write his "Marienbad Elegy". The May 1911 death of composer Gustav Mahler in Vienna and Mann's interest in the boy Wladzio during summer 1911 vacation in Venice were additional experiences occupying his thoughts. He used the stor...