Measuring the World

Measuring the World

Daniel Kehlmann

3.73(20339 readers)
Measuring the World marks the debut of a glorious new talent on the international scene. Young Austrian writer Daniel Kehlmann’s brilliant comic novel revolves around the meeting of two colossal geniuses of the Enlightenment.

Late in the eighteenth century, two young Germans set out to measure the world. One of them, the aristocratic naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, negotiates jungles, voyages down the Orinoco River, tastes poisons, climbs the highest mountain known to man, counts head lice, and explores and measures every cave and hill he comes across. The other, the reclusive and barely socialized mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, can prove that space is curved without leaving his home. Terrifyingly famous and wildly eccentric, these two polar opposites finally meet in Berlin in 1828, and are immediately embroiled in the turmoil of the post-Napoleonic world.

Publisher

Vintage

Publication Date

10/9/2007

ISBN

9780307277398

Pages

272

Categories

HistoryLiteratureArts

About the Author

Daniel Kehlmann

Daniel Kehlmann

Daniel Kehlmann is a German-Austrian author.

His novel Measuring the World (German: Die Vermessung der Welt) was translated into more than forty languages. Awards his work has received include the Candide Prize, the Literature Prize of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Heimito von Doderer Literature Award, the Kleist Prize, the WELT Literature Prize, and the Thomas Mann Prize. Kehlmann divides his time between Vienna and Berlin.

Questions & Answers

The lives and scientific pursuits of Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss intersect and influence each other profoundly throughout the narrative of "Measuring the World." Both are depicted as giants in their respective fields, with Humboldt being a renowned explorer and naturalist, and Gauss a brilliant mathematician and physicist. Their paths cross in various ways:

  1. Scientific Collaboration: Gauss's mathematical prowess is often sought by Humboldt, who uses his calculations to support his explorations and observations. For instance, Gauss's work on magnetism aids Humboldt's study of Earth's magnetic fields.

  2. Intellectual Influence: Humboldt's vast knowledge of the natural world and his philosophical approach to science inspire Gauss. Conversely, Gauss's mathematical insights contribute to Humboldt's understanding of natural phenomena.

  3. Personal Relationships: Their friendship and rivalry are central to the narrative. They support each other's endeavors, yet they also compete for recognition and status within the scientific community.

  4. Public Perception: Both men are depicted as celebrities in their time, with their work influencing public perception of science and exploration. Their achievements are celebrated, but they also face criticism and skepticism.

  5. Legacy: The narrative suggests that their legacies intertwine, with their work contributing to the broader understanding of the natural world and the development of science. Their stories are woven together, highlighting the interconnectedness of scientific inquiry and personal growth.

The concept of "measuring the world" is central to both Humboldt's and Gauss's scientific endeavors, embodying their distinct approaches to understanding the natural world. For Humboldt, measurement is a means to explore and quantify the vastness and diversity of nature. His extensive travels, detailed observations, and meticulous record-keeping reflect a desire to understand the Earth's physical and biological systems through empirical data. This approach is holistic, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all natural phenomena.

Gauss, on the other hand, focuses on mathematical precision and abstraction. His work on number theory and geometry demonstrates a more analytical and deductive method, seeking to uncover the underlying patterns and structures of the universe. Measuring the world for Gauss is about distilling complex systems into mathematical formulas, providing a framework for understanding the universe through logic and reason.

Both scientists contribute to the advancement of their respective fields, but their differing approaches highlight the complementary nature of empirical observation and theoretical analysis in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.

The novel "Measuring the World" portrays the relationship between science and human experience as a complex interplay. Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss, the novel's central figures, embody this relationship. Humboldt's exploration and documentation of the natural world reflect a deep connection to the earth and its mysteries, while Gauss's mathematical pursuits reveal the human quest for understanding and order.

Humboldt's adventures in the tropics and his scientific endeavors are intertwined with his personal experiences, illustrating how science can be a means of self-discovery and emotional fulfillment. His exploration of the Amazon and the Andes, for instance, is as much a journey into the unknown self as it is into the unknown world.

Gauss, on the other hand, represents the more abstract, theoretical aspects of science. His work in mathematics is portrayed as a quest for truth and understanding, often at the expense of personal relationships and emotional connections. His focus on numbers and the universe reflects a human desire to quantify and control the unpredictable aspects of life.

The novel suggests that while science can provide answers and a sense of order, it can also be isolating and disconnected from the human experience. Both Humboldt and Gauss struggle with the tension between their scientific pursuits and their personal lives, highlighting the complex relationship between science and the human spirit.

The themes of exploration, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge are central to "Measuring the World." Characters like Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss embody these themes through their relentless curiosity and adventurous spirits.

Humboldt's exploration of the tropics and South America represents the quest for knowledge through empirical observation and firsthand experience. His adventures, often dangerous and self-imposed, underscore the theme of exploration. Gauss, on the other hand, embodies the pursuit of knowledge through mathematics and logic. His dedication to understanding the universe through numbers and equations reflects the theme of discovery.

Both characters' decisions are driven by their insatiable curiosity. Humboldt's choice to embark on perilous expeditions despite the risks and Gauss's focus on mathematics despite societal expectations are testament to their commitment to expanding human knowledge. Their lives and decisions illustrate that exploration and discovery are not just about finding new places or things, but also about expanding the boundaries of human understanding and pushing the limits of what is known.

The novel "Measuring the World" vividly reflects the early 19th century's historical context through its portrayal of scientific advancements, political landscapes, and cultural attitudes. Scientifically, it showcases the era's fascination with exploration and measurement, as seen in Humboldt's expeditions and Gauss's work on geodesy. The novel also reflects the political turmoil, with references to the Restoration and the Napoleonic Wars, and the struggle for freedom and democracy. Culturally, it depicts the rise of Romanticism, with its emphasis on nature and individualism, and the emergence of modern concepts like probability theory and the scientific method. The characters' interactions with various social classes and their differing attitudes towards science, religion, and progress further illustrate the complexities of the early 19th century.

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