A Linguopoetic Interpretation of Human and Animal Images in the Works of Hermann Hesse

This article provides a linguopoetic analysis of the German writer Hermann Hesse’s short story “Wolf” and novel “Desert Wolf” The internal worlds of the characters, linguistic tools, metaphorical expression methods, and the author’s aesthetic position are studied through a comparative analysis. The works illuminate the images of humans and animals, the conflict between individuality and sociality, and symbolic elements based on linguistic and poetic criteria.
The primary aim of this article is to conduct a linguopoetic analysis of Hesse’s “Wolf” and “Desert Wolf” in order to gain a deep understanding of the themes of human and animal imagery as well as individuality and sociality through linguistic and poetic means. Within this goal, several tasks are set, including analyzing the linguistic tools and artistic styles used in Hessening‘s works, examining the metaphorical and symbolic expressions in the story and novel, identifying the author’s aesthetic position and its influence on the structure and thematic development of the works, and comparatively investigating the conflict between the concepts of individuality and sociality.
The methodology of the study defines its distinctive character. It is carried out based on a linguopoetic approach, which focuses on exploring the interrelationship between language and poetry. Qualitative text analysis methods such as semantic field analysis, metaphor identification, and the study of stylistic devices are employed. Additionally, intertextual and cultural contexts are taken into account.
The analysis shows that Hessening‘s metaphorical language blurs the boundaries between human and animal images, reflecting the complex relationships between them. The symbolic meaning of the wolf image manifests as natural instinct, social alienation, and an existential expression of being. Linguistic tools, including repetition, parallelism, and imagery, intensify the philosophical and emotional aspects of the works. The comparative analysis reveals a similar depiction of the conflict between individuality and sociality in both works, clearly reflecting the author’s aesthetic views.
In conclusion, Hermann Hesse’s “Wolf” and “Desert Wolf” effectively express complex themes within human and animal imagery through linguopoetic means. The study demonstrates that metaphors and symbols play a central role in shaping the structure and content of the author’s works. This article contributes significantly to understanding the interconnection between language and poetry in contemporary German literature.