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Old 02-Jan-2009, 08:14
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Default Re: Thomas Mann: Royal Highness

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth View Post
I think it is, CJ, (to carry that constricting theme a bit further). The whole idea of an imperial line, a prescribed birthplace, the Grand Duke's fury with his advisors and with Grand Duchess Dorothea's gynęcologists. His comment ''But it's unheard of! I cannot understand it! People talk nowadays about heredity,'' speaks to the heart of imperialist thinking? Or is that too broad an interpretation?
I'd forgotten that exchange. He seemed worried about whether he is to be blamed at that point, and to have no one to blame was considered worse. I guess that shows he was thinking about his son more than himself so that's something.

At the risk of getting ahead of the first couple chapters, inheritance seems to be a theme to watch. Klaus Heinrich has inherited lack of choice (a constriction).
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