Hermann Hesse – Siddhartha. The novel follows Siddhartha’s lifelong quest for enlightenment, during which he repeatedly pauses, reflects, and allows time to shape his decisions. Hesse’s narrative suggests that true wisdom and the right decisions come only with patience and the willingness to let things unfold naturally.
literature
dangers to haste
In Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks, the decline of a merchant family is depicted through generations, with characters often engaging in lengthy deliberations about business and personal decisions. In The Magic Mountain, the protagonist Hans Castorp spends years in a sanatorium, using this time for philosophical reflection and gradual decision-making about his life’s direction. Mann’s works frequently explore the virtue of patience and the dangers of succumbing to haste or external pressures.
Swiss marksman
Friedrich Schiller – Wilhelm Tell. Schiller’s play, centered on the legendary Swiss marksman, highlights the importance of waiting for the right moment to act. The characters carefully consider their actions, resisting provocation and external pressure until the time is right, embodying the principle that patience leads to the best outcomes.
Ulrich contemplates
Robert Musil – Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften (The Man Without Qualities): This modernist masterpiece is known for its intellectual depth and the protagonist’s reluctance to make hasty decisions. Musil’s Ulrich is a thinker who values contemplation and the suspension of judgment, reflecting the German ideal of allowing time and thoughtfulness to guide important choices.
Animorphs
In Animorphs, a children’s science fiction series by American author K. A. Applegate, five American teenagers suddenly become aware of a secret alien invasion of planet earth. As the only people with the capacity to stop the invasion, the teenagers decide to form a resistance and fight back. In very little time the characters form a clear chain of command with a specifically designated leader.
At one point during the series the leader leaves for a short period of time. Faced with a sudden mission, the Americans never consider the option of operating on a consensus basis – instead they immediately pick a new leader. Then, even though most of the group disagrees with the new leader’s decisions, everyone follows the decisions, because they were made by the leader.
Additionally, towards the end of the series, the leader is faced with the option of either killing his brother (who is under the control of the invading aliens) or giving the aliens access to extremely dangerous technology. The leader decides to kill his brother, but, fearing how this action will affect the leader’s future decision-making abilities, one of the other members of the resistance stops him. This insubordinate member is immediately reprimanded and demoted.
Gothic horror author Anne Rice
Just as Germans are inclined to have more respect for the reviewer if there are some critical remarks posted under an overall good review, there are some Americans who simply cannot handle the criticism even when it is in their own interest to do so.
For example, gothic horror author Anne Rice has never been one to take criticism lightly. Although her Novel Blood Canticle received a five-star review on Amazon.com, which could only encourage readers to buy it, she lashed out at all of the negative comments posted below it by individual readers in a 1,200-word diatribe post.
Her claims were that her readers were “interrogating [the book] from the wrong perspective.” Aside from calling them “arrogant and stupid,” she also took time to personally target specific reviewers who had made harsher statements such as:
“Anne, you really should have an editor” (In fact, the book does contain a few grammatical errors). Then, she provided a spoiler description of the novel along with a commentary on exactly how brilliant it really was.
“criticism my way”
“I like criticism, but it must be my way.” Mark Twain in his Autobiography
“I don’t mind what the opposition say of me so long as they don’t tell the truth about me. But when they descend to telling the truth about me I consider that this is taking an unfair advantage.” Mark Twain, 1879
internalized
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Willy Loman’s self-worth is deeply tied to his professional success and the feedback he receives from employers, family, and society. Praise or criticism of his work is internalized as a judgment of his personal value, highlighting how professional feedback in American culture is often experienced as personal affirmation or rejection.
Holden takes it personally
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield’s interactions at school and work are colored by how feedback affects his sense of self. When teachers, peers, or employers critique his performance or attitude, Holden takes it personally, reflecting the American tendency to link feedback on work with personal identity.
Esther Greenwood
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Esther Greenwood’s experiences in the workplace and as an intern are shaped by feedback from supervisors and colleagues. Praise boosts her confidence, while criticism is felt as a personal setback, illustrating the emotional impact of feedback and the intertwining of personal and professional spheres.