Group work for week 3: Venus im Pelz
Group 5: (Lucy, Bronwen, Lauren, Hannah)
pp. 9-13. How does the book begin? What kind of narrative form are we
confronted with, and who is the first person narrator? What view of gender
relations become apparent in the narrator’s dream? On p. 14 and p. 15 we get
some detail on famous paintings. Please describe this detail.
Group 1: (Mitch, Meg, Sophie, Rachel)
pp. 17-19. Severin describes himself as a dilletant in life and in love. What does
he mean by this? What else do we find out about him here – what kinds of
fascinations does he have; what kind of personality is he?
Group 2: (Ciera, Gina, Maria, Nikita, Stephanie)
pp. 20-22. Severin reflects on the Biblical Book of Judith (see also the inscription
at the start of the novel), as well as on the story of Samson and Delilah. What
significance does this have for the novel?
Group 3: (Ellie, Jane, Nadia, Jess)
pp. 25-27. Severin encounters Wanda von Dunajew, the young widow who lives
on the floor above him, while he is reading one morning. They discuss
modernity, Christianity and antiquity. What does Wanda say about modern
society and how does she see woman’s role within it?
Group 4: (Adam, Bill, Alex, Niall)
pp. 36-38. The conversation about “Liebe” here turns to a discussion of “Besitz”
and slavery. What is the nature of the power-play between Severin and Wanda in
this conversation?