Die Schere (the title)

[Gary Kern <gkern@ucr.campus.mci.net>]

Dear Jüngerites:

It occurs to me that we have not yet translated the title of DIE SCHERE.
Perhaps it cannot be done until we have read the book entire, but those
who already have read it can advise.  In English "The Scissors"
suggests, well, scissors, but also a careful cutting, especially a
cutting in half.  The translation "The Shears," however, carries quite
different connotations.  Here the instrument and the action are bigger,
grosser and more likely brutal.  "Scissors"--careful, meticulous
cutting, artistic and possibly cruel.  "Shears"--heavy chopping, razing,
indiscriminate and never kindly.

GK