How does Mario and the Magician symbolize Fascism?

In his novella Mario and the Magician, Thomas Mann uses the character of a seedy illusionist to symbolize the nature of Fascism.1

The magician serves as a powerful allegory for the manipulative and coercive tactics employed by authoritarian leaders during the political crises of the era. Through his performance, the illusionist exerts psychological control over his audience, mirroring how fascist regimes utilized propaganda, charisma, and the exploitation of human vulnerabilities to suppress individual reason and enforce collective submission. By depicting this dynamic, Mann illustrates the fragility of humaneness, tolerance, and rational thought when confronted by the inhuman fanaticism of political movements like National Socialism.1

Ultimately, the work reflects Mann’s evolving commitment to democratic principles and his urgent warnings against the dangers of authoritarianism, which he viewed as a direct threat to the preservation of freedom and human dignity.21