The translation of a text from one language into another is a science of its own, especially within literary works. The standards a translator has to meet these days are high and it is therefore hard to take as a coincidence that The Great Gatsby, Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous work, has been translated into German three times up to now.
This remarkable number of translations for a book written not even a century ago might have something to do with the expectations the translator has to satisfy and which tend to be quite exalted when a lot of readers, who are not familiar with the language of the original work, and many publishers, who are aware of the fact that the translated work often sells better than the original, await its translation eagerly.
Once the translation is published, the question of the authenticity, of how much of the author the translated book still contains, is a common problem especially in the critique and the feuilleton but also among a books major recipients, the common readers. Everybody that ever had the chance to have a thorough talk with a foreigner about a literary work known to both sides might have come across the phenomenon that certain aspects of that book were perceived in different ways - maybe the irony of a main character suddenly bordered sarcasm, maybe his felicitous language did not sound eloquent at all or maybe the character’s whole appearance was bathed in a slightly different light.
The aim of this term paper is to analyse if there are such differences between two versions of The Great Gatsby, furthermore if and to which extent they can influence the perception of a character and finally to analyse how such aberrations can come into existence.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. A Common Roughneck
- 3. The perfect Son in Law
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this paper is to analyze the differences between two German translations of F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, examining how these differences influence the perception of Jay Gatsby's character. The analysis compares the original English text with translations by Walter Schürenberg (1953) and Bettina Abarbanell (2006).
- Translation choices and their impact on character portrayal
- The ambiguity surrounding Gatsby's character and how translations alter it
- The portrayal of Gatsby's social standing and relationships
- Comparative analysis of different translation styles and their effect on meaning
- The role of ambiguity in Fitzgerald's original text and its loss in translation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of literary translation, focusing on the complexities involved in translating *The Great Gatsby*. It highlights the high standards expected of translators and the potential for variations in interpretation across different translations. The chapter establishes the paper's aim: to analyze the differences between two German translations of the novel and their impact on the reader's perception of Jay Gatsby. The methodology, comparing Fitzgerald's original text with the Schürenberg and Abarbanell translations, is also outlined.
2. A Common Roughneck: This chapter delves into the ambiguous portrayal of Jay Gatsby in Fitzgerald's original text and how this ambiguity is affected by translation. It analyzes specific instances where the German translations deviate from the original, notably in the descriptions of Gatsby's character and his interactions with other characters. The chapter explores how seemingly minor translation choices can significantly alter the reader's understanding of Gatsby's moral character and social standing, shifting his image from a somewhat ambiguous figure to a more definitively judged one. The analysis uses examples such as the translation of "all right" and its implications on the reader's perception of Gatsby's past. The chapter also examines the translation of Daisy's confession of love, revealing how subtle linguistic choices influence the interpretation of the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy.
3. The perfect Son in Law: This chapter continues the analysis of how translation impacts the reader's understanding of Gatsby, focusing on interpretations of his social standing and personality. It examines the differing descriptions of Gatsby provided by Meyer Wolfshiem in the original and translated texts, specifically highlighting the nuances of words like "gentlemanly" and how their translations change the implications concerning Gatsby's true nature. The chapter explores the possibility of inverted interpretations, suggesting that while the original text presents Gatsby in an ambiguous light, the translations might inadvertently present a more idealized version of his character. It uses Wolfshiem's judgment of Gatsby as a pivotal point, suggesting that the translations might either diminish Wolfshiem's intelligence or elevate Gatsby’s character beyond his originally presented flaws.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Literary translation, *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald, character analysis, comparative literature, German translation, ambiguity, social class, translation studies, intertextuality.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of German Translations of *The Great Gatsby*
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the differences between two German translations of F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby* and how these differences impact the reader's perception of Jay Gatsby's character. It compares the original English text with translations by Walter Schürenberg (1953) and Bettina Abarbanell (2006).
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the impact of translation choices on character portrayal, the ambiguity surrounding Gatsby's character and how translations alter it, the portrayal of Gatsby's social standing and relationships, a comparative analysis of different translation styles and their effect on meaning, and the role of ambiguity in Fitzgerald's original text and its potential loss in translation.
Which German translations are being compared?
The paper compares the German translations of *The Great Gatsby* by Walter Schürenberg (1953) and Bettina Abarbanell (2006).
What is the methodology used in the analysis?
The analysis compares specific instances where the German translations deviate from the original English text, focusing on how these deviations affect the reader's understanding of Gatsby's character, social standing, and relationships. It examines the impact of seemingly minor translation choices on the overall interpretation of the novel.
What are some specific examples analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes the translation of phrases like "all right" and its implications on Gatsby's past, Daisy's confession of love and its effect on their relationship, and the differing descriptions of Gatsby provided by Meyer Wolfshiem in the original and translated texts ( focusing on words like "gentlemanly").
What is the overall argument or conclusion suggested by the paper?
The paper suggests that subtle translation choices can significantly alter the reader's understanding of Gatsby's character. While the original text might present Gatsby ambiguously, the translations might inadvertently present a more idealized or definitively judged version of his character, potentially changing the readers' perception of his morality and social standing.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include Literary translation, *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald, character analysis, comparative literature, German translation, ambiguity, social class, translation studies, and intertextuality.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Introduces the topic of literary translation, focusing on the complexities of translating *The Great Gatsby* and outlining the paper's aim and methodology. Chapter 2 (A Common Roughneck): Analyzes the ambiguous portrayal of Gatsby in the original and translated texts, focusing on how translation choices affect the reader's understanding of his moral character and social standing. Chapter 3 (The perfect Son in Law): Continues the analysis, focusing on interpretations of Gatsby's social standing and personality, particularly through the lens of Meyer Wolfshiem's descriptions and the implications of translation choices.
- Quote paper
- Florian Arleth (Author), 2009, The many faces of Jay Gatsby, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/149569
