Lest anyone doubt the political allegorical nature of Mario and the magician the perverse eponymous magician turns out to be more of a hypnotist whose skill lies in getting unwilling members of his audience do do strange things - stick out their tongues or double over in cramps eg - against their will. Mario keeps up a running commentary and says how this work is so hard for him. He towards the end speaks about obedience and will - that we all have will but a powerful figure can overcome another's will and exert obedience. Obviously he is like a fascist political leader perverting the will of the masses especially of the working-class men. Oddly on the surface his mesmeric performance has no political content - he is not controlling his audience for any end other than entertainment ostensibly. But there is a menacing undercurrent of racism - references to the fatherland and the hint that the narrator and his family may be outsiders and victims - possibly Jews though that is never stated. It's at one a very bold and insightful story and a defensive and protective story never overtly stating the real intention or the real affect of the nazis and fascists - it wasn't just about controlling the will and Their followers were not just innocent hypnotized victims of a charlatan.
Sent from my iPhone
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