ABSTRACT
The structure of the mass ornament reflects that of the general contemporary situation. Since the principle of the capitalist production process does not stem purely from nature, it must destroy the natural organisms which it regards either as a means or as a force of resistance. Nature is deprived of its substance in the mass ornament, and this indicates the condition under which only those aspects of nature can assert themselves which do not resist illumination through reason. Such power of symbolic speech has withdrawn from the mass ornament under the influence of the same rationality which keeps the ornament mute. The mass ornament portrays mute nature without any superstructure; rhythmical gymnastics also confiscate even the mythological higher levels and hence strengthen nature all the more in its domination. Then, too, the mass ornament will vanish and human life itself will assume the traits of that ornament which expresses itself in the folktales, face to face with truth.
