Shapes of Time: History and Eschatology in the Modernist Imagination

Shapes of Time examines how early 20th-century German thinkers spatialized time and history, using spatial imagery and metaphors to separate the end of history from a narrative framework and map the liminal relation between history and eschatology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Shapes of Time delves into the fascinating exploration of how early twentieth-century German thinkers spatialized concepts of time and history. Michael McGillen, in his insightful study, uncovers the endeavors of German modernism to conceive of alternative temporal forms that transcend the boundaries of historicism and nineteenth-century historical philosophies. By meticulously analyzing canonical works of German modernism, including the profound writings of Karl Barth, Franz Rosenzweig, Siegfried Kracauer, and Robert Musil, McGillen identifies the intricate ways in which spatial imagery and metaphors were employed to delineate the end of history from a narrative framework while also charting the intricate relationship between history and eschatology.

Drawing upon a diverse range of theories and practices, such as constructivism, non-Euclidean geometry, photography, and urban architecture, Shapes of Time presents groundbreaking connections between modernism, theology, and mathematics as they unfold within the rich tapestry of twentieth-century German literature. McGillen argues that these concepts of temporal and spatial form play a crucial role in understanding not only the intricacies of modernist literature but also the broader theoretical concerns that permeate modern cultural and intellectual history.

Through his meticulous analysis, McGillen unveils the profound ways in which German modernism sought to redefine the temporal and spatial dimensions of human experience, challenging traditional notions of linear progression and paving the way for new understandings of history, spirituality, and the human condition. This thought-provoking book offers a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies, shedding light on the intricate interplay between modernism, theology, and mathematics and providing a fresh perspective on the complexities of twentieth-century cultural and intellectual history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501772818