Goethe’s Theory of Proto-Phenomenon (Urphänomen) and Its Reception in Grigol Robakidze’s Literary Works

Abstract

The author's English summary from the article:

Key words: proto-phenomena, mythos, modernism, poetics, ontological novel. 1.

The article deals with one of the most important aspects of Grigol Robakidze’s (1880- 1962) works, in particular the pioneering attempt for the reception of Proto-Phenomenon (Ur- phänomen) of an eminent German classic writer, Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832). From this standpoint, Robakidze’s two texts are analyzed in the paper: a philosophical essay „Proto- Fear and Mythos” and a novel „Snake Skin”. 2. The article proceeds with the viewpoint that Goethe’s notion of Urphänomen is estab- lished on the one hand, as a creative process and on the other hand, an ideological foundation therefore, this conception represents one of the philosophical and aesthetic foundations alongside Georgian mythical and linguistic world-image.

3. The author considers that from purely philosophical-existential standpoint Robakidze did perceive Goethe’s notion of Urphänomen as an ideological basis for solving the issues of ex- istence (alienation with metaphysical-mythical foundations, impossibility of self-identification, existential fear and dehumanization) of a modernist human - it is Archibald Macleish’s mutual evolution – forward and backward, as it is in Goethe’s Urphänomen in relation to the evolution of separate empirical plant – which serve as an existential salvation for modernist human and a way to overcome proto-fear. 4. According to the conclusions drawn by the author of the article, from the standpoint of effective realization and hermeneutics of onto-existential issues of post-modernist human and his aesthetic mood and readiness, studies of Goethe’s Urphänomen is appropriate even nowadays.

G.Robakidze was the first who placed emphasis on the philosophical reception of Goethe’s no- tion in the early 20th century Georgian and western culture. He implemented this reception on the basis of which he later formed and published his own hermeneutic in the form of philosophical and aesthetic discourse. 5. From ideological standpoint, three types of narratives can be singled out in modernistic texts (Z. Shatirishvili): individualistic (liberal), esoteric and revolutionary, each of them repre- senting three controversial viewpoints covering onto-existential issues (alienation, impossibility of self-identification, fear of existence, dehumanization) of a modernist human.

In my opinion, Robakidze’s „Snake Skin“ displays esoteric as well as liberal (individual) narratives simultaneously. These two dimensions coexist within the text of a novel and therefore we can speak about two types of narratives – on the one hand, esoteric and on the other hand, individualistic. Later in Robakidze’s works, in particular „The Killed Soul“, esoteric narrative disappears completely and the text of a novel is presented as a typical individualistic narrative, where the onto-existential lack of prosperity of a modernist human is revealed (Bregadze 2010: 45-46). 6. It is common knowledge that a prominent Georgian modernist writer Grigol Robakidze regarded Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as the primary inspirer of his literary works.

In his philo- sophical and literary essays („The Origins of My Literary Work“, „My Life“, „Protophobia and Mythos“, etc.) Robakidze always foregrounds the role of Goethe’s theory of proto-phenomenon (Urphänomen) in the development of his own weltanschauung as well as in structuring the po- etological principles, creative method and tropological and symbolic paradigms of his literary works: „Goethe’s theory on proto-phenomena has become the basis for the cognition of objects for me. Isn’t the vision of reality in the dynamics of the process formation and wholeness and not in separate moments - an ultimate goal of a writer and thinker? [...] Not an eternal return of an individual to itself but an eternal return to itself in an individual.

Later this notion was applied in my novel „The Snake Skin“ (and not only here but in all Robakidze’s novels - K. B.)“ [Gr. Robakidze, Works, vol. 2, 1994: p. 226]. 7. It can be argued that Goethe’s theory of proto-phenomenon is implicitly present in Robakidze’s whole prose and develops into the creative method and poetological principle un- derlying his literary texts („The Snake Skin”, „Megi – a Georgian Meiden“, „The Call of the Goddess“, „The Guards of the Grail“, „Lamara“, „Londa“ etc.). 8. Goethe’s theory of proto-phenomenon is demonstrated in Robakidze’s works in the following ways: a) As a philosophical and ontological weltanschauung; b) As a creative method (the principle of mytho-symbolic composition); c) As the basis of his own tropology.

Published in the journal Sjani, vol. 12 (2011), pp. 142–161. Open the paper