Mephisto. Romanzo di una carriera

Mann's portrayal feels both symbolic and deeply human. I wonder what led to this particular interpretation of temptation and moral decline.

His ambition and moral compromises made me uneasy, but also made me ponder how far people are willing to go for success in oppressive times.

The political climate seems to act almost as a character itself. I'm curious how much Mann intended this backdrop to shape the moral dilemmas.