Thomas Mann an Louis Grant

Zu ›Mario und der Zauberer‹: Erklärt den Charakter der Geschichte, die man nicht allzusehr als Allegorie betrachten soll. Der Hypnotiseur habe Mario nicht gekannt, habe aber bald realisiert, was zwischen Mario und dem aggressiven Jungen, Giovanetto, vorging. »He understands that they are rivals for the affections of the same girl, and during his hypnosis he makes Mario believe that he himself is the girl Mario loves so that Mario kisses him. When Mario discovers the deceit, he is so enraged that he shoots the magician. The fact that he carries a gun is hardly surprising considering the jealous tension existing between him and the arrogant youth.«