Confessions of Felix Krull

Main Ideas

• The idea of self-creation and self-determination: Felix Krull crafts his identity and destiny through deceit and manipulation, demonstrating how a person can shape their life using their talents and skills.
• The theme of masks and roles: Krull constantly changes his roles and masks, emphasizing the notion that personality is multilayered and mutable.
• Critique of bourgeois society: Through Krull's character, Mann critiques the hypocrisy and superficiality of bourgeois society, showing how easily people can be deceived if one meets their expectations.
• The idea of art as deception: Krull views his life as art, where deceit and illusion play a key role, raising questions about the nature of art and reality.
• The motif of fate and chance: Krull's life is full of coincidences and unexpected turns, highlighting the role of fate and chance in human life.