The second part of Elias Canetti’s autobiography, Die Fackel im Ohr [The Torch in My Ear, 1980], begins in Frankfurt in 1921, and it ends in Vienna in 1931, two years prior to Hitler’s takeover. There are references to increasing antisemitism in the general public and academe, to fast-spreading nationalism and authoritarian attitudes. Structurally the work is similar to Die gerettete Zunge [The Tongue Set Free, 1977, q.v.]. Each of the five parts is associated with a location and dates significant to the author. Each part is preceded by a heading with a theme or motif. For “Frankfurt 1921-1924” it is “Inflation und Ohnmacht” [Inflation and Powerlesness]; for “Vienna 1924-1925” “Sturm und Zwang” [“Storm and Coercion”]; the motto of “Vienna 1926-1928 is “Die Schule des Hörens” [“The School of Listening”]; that of “Berlin 1928” “Das...
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Citation: Lorenz, Dagmar C. G.. "Die Fackel im Ohr". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 July 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=15718, accessed 25 February 2026.]
