Literature and Historiography

Abstract

The intersection of literature and historiography remains a contentious subject within literary theory. This essay examines Thomas Mann's novel Joseph and His Brothers through the lens of a historical novel. In this work, Mann intricately weaves biblical myth and Quranic narrative into a historical framework, presenting a richly layered interpretation. While biblical texts can undeniably serve as historical sources, they should not be regarded as straightforward accounts to be taken at face value. Instead, they demand a critical, nuanced reading that acknowledges their complexity and the layers of meaning they contain. Mann's tetralogy, published between 1933 and 1943, represents a remarkable and multifaceted reinterpretation of the biblical story of Joseph (Genesis 37–50) alongside its narration in the Quran (Surah 12). The novel artfully integrates elements of psychological, mythological, and historical genres, crafting a literary Gesamtkunstwerk of profound intricacy. This leads to thought-provoking questions: Can an author also assume the role of historian? More broadly, how do literature and historiography interact and influence one another?