Steppenwolf Art and Culture Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Preface if applicable, Paragraph)

Quote #7

For long during this night's walk I had reflected upon the significance of my relation to music, and not for the first time recognized this appealing and fatal relation as the destiny of the entire German spirit. (361)

Whoa! Getting deep there. Harry thinks that the deal with music is that it is able to communicate a spirit without having to put it down into words. He thinks that the German intellectuals have been lazy because they don't try to explain their national spirit in language, but accept music as a substitute. Do you think that language is the ultimate use of reason and logic? Are there other ways to express ideas?

Quote #8

"Do you think I can't understand your horror of the fox trot, your dislike of bars and dancing floors, your loathing of jazz and the rest of it?" (425)

What did the fox trot ever do to Harry? Hermine is describing all of the popular or low culture activities that contrast very starkly with Harry's old likes. She's also telling him that he's not special for being snooty—she understands him, just doesn't agree with him.

Quote #9

"And if you still think it worth your while we can philosophize together and argue and talk about music and Mozart and Gluck and Plato and Goethe to your heart's content. You will understand now why it was impossible before." (507)

Hmm… why was it impossible for Pablo to talk to Harry about music and philosophy before? Does it have something to do with the laughter Harry is supposed to learn about?