DIE SCHERE #29: Text. Translations, Notes

[Rebing <Rebing@compuserve.com>]

Ernst Juenger, DIE SCHERE #29
Text
29
> >
> >  Der Vorschauer nahm also zwei Mal an seinem Begräbnis teil: zunächst
in
> >  der Schau, als er am Fenster stand, dann in der Wirklichkeit. Das
> >  Verhältnis hat sich verschränkt: die Schere der Atropos, vorerst in
der
> >  Potenz gesehen, wirkte nun in actu-sie schnitt zu. Doch das tut dem
> >  Vorschauer nicht mehr weh.
> >

Abdalbarr's translation
29
So the seer takes part in his burial twice: First of all in the vision,
as he stood at the window, then in reality. The circumstances have
changed, the Sheers of Atropos, presently seen in potency, effected now
in actu - it cuts. But it no longer hurts the seer.

Walter's translation
29
The pre-visionary thus attended twice his own funeral, once while standing
at
the window, then in reality. The  relation has interlocked, the scissors of
Atropos, at first seen in its potential, then took effect in actu - the
scissors cut. But the visionary is hurt no more.

DIE SCHERE #29: Notes

The dual character of the Vorschau is difficult to comprehend. However, it
is essential as a precondition of the far-reaching conclusions EJ is about
to draw from it. This is why he summarizes it several times: in #29, in the
first paragraph of #30, and again in the first sentences of ##31 and 33.
Again: looking back from his actual burial the vision is a thing of the
past for the Vorschauer - he can say, as Gary put it succinctly: I foreSAW
that it would happen. So in a way ("insofern") the Vorschauer sees a past
event, not only a future one. This is an ingenious play of ideas, and even
if I cannot accept its content its formal intricacy pleases me. I cannot
describe it better than Gary Kern did: " I think EJ is indicating something
like a Moebius strip: the vision of the future is seen in the present, but
when it occurs in the future looks back at its preview and completes it,
thus interlocking or doubling back on itself."

Confusing like the Moebius strip is indeed the last sentence. The
Vorschauer feels no more ("nicht mehr") pain when the shears actually snap
--- does the "nicht mehr" imply that they did hurt before, namely during
the vision? Or does it imply that the Vorschauer must be exempt from the
spiritual pangs of death because his spritual presence at his own burial is
proof for him that his spirit survives? 

So just by looking at and pondering the phenomenon of Vorschau the old man
arrives at a point where he might ask that old provocative question, Death
where is thy sting? But he remains cautious and will go on in his usual
restrained and detached  manner. However, at the very end of DIE SCHERE he
will go  as far as to say, "Close before and after (death) a lot of strange
things will happen." ("Dicht vorher und nachher wird unheimlich viel
geschehen."(#284))

Günter Rebing