Tring's Power Play: Pan Kreutz's Downfall

In the novel, Johann Tring is a student who lives in the same building as the Charnetskis. He is a German student of Nicholas Kreutz, who teaches him chemistry in the loft above his apartment every evening. Tring is obsessed with the idea of obtaining the philosopher's stone, and finally convinces Kreutz to go through sessions of hypnosis, which Tring believes will open Kreutz's Greater Mind, revealing the secret of the creation of a chrysopoeia. All Tring can glean from Kreutz's trances, however, is that the chrysopoeia is at hand (which Tring takes to mean that they have nearly discovered how to make it).

Pan Kreutz's obsession with the Philosopher's Stone

Pan Kreutz is obsessed with the idea of obtaining the Philosopher's Stone. The mythical substance is said to be capable of turning base metals into gold and is thus highly sought-after. Kreutz, an alchemist, believes that the stone can be used to change bad things in the world into good. He is convinced by his student, Johann Tring, to undergo hypnosis to unlock his "Greater Mind" and reveal the secret of the stone's creation. However, Kreutz reasons that there is no single stone that can automatically change one metal into another, but rather a process by which such a change could occur.

Kreutz's obsession with the Philosopher's Stone leads him to steal the Great Tarnov Crystal, believing it to be the stone he and Tring have been seeking. Kreutz thinks that by staring into the crystal, he can discover the formula for transmutation. However, his attempts only result in an explosion, and he flees into the streets of Krakow in a crazed state.

The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary concept in alchemy, often referred to as "the tincture" or "the powder". It is believed to grant its user immortality and the ability to turn any metal into gold. The stone is also associated with spiritual enlightenment and is considered a symbol of perfection and divine illumination. Kreutz's obsession with unlocking its secrets ultimately leads to his downfall, as he becomes consumed by his desire to possess its power.

Pan Kreutz's use of hypnosis to reveal the secret of the Philosopher's Stone

In Eric P. Kelly's 1928 novel, *The Trumpeter of Krakow*, Johann Tring is a German student obsessed with obtaining the Philosopher's Stone. He convinces his chemistry teacher, Nicholas (or Pan) Kreutz, to undergo hypnosis, believing it will reveal the secret of the stone's creation. Tring thinks that hypnosis will unlock Kreutz's "Greater Mind".

During the hypnosis sessions, Kreutz enters a trance, and Tring believes he has discovered that the chrysopoeia (the stone that turns metal into gold) is within reach. However, Kreutz reasons that there cannot be a single stone that automatically changes brass into gold. Instead, he believes there must be a process by which such a transformation could occur. Kreutz wants to use alchemy to change the world's bad things into good.

Tring's hypnosis of Kreutz ultimately leads to disaster. When Kreutz reveals that he has been hiding the Great Tarnov Crystal, Tring makes him enter a trance by staring into the gemstone. Kreutz sees what Tring believes is the formula for turning brass into gold, but it is actually a formula for a niter-based explosive. When Tring mixes the ingredients, their loft explodes, and he flees. Kreutz, still crazed, runs into the streets of Krakow with the crystal.

Pan Kreutz's discovery of the Philosopher's Stone's true nature

In Eric P. Kelly's 1928 novel, 'The Trumpeter of Krakow', Johann Tring, a German student of alchemy, becomes obsessed with the idea of obtaining the philosopher's stone. He manipulates his teacher, Nicholas (Pan) Kreutz, into undergoing hypnosis, believing it will reveal the secret of the chrysopoeia (the process of turning base metals into gold). Kreutz, however, remains sceptical of the stone's existence. He believes that there cannot be a single stone that automatically changes brass into gold but that there must be a process by which such a transformation could occur.

Kreutz eventually discovers the 'Great Tarnov Crystal', a mysterious object that has caused many wars and is believed to be the philosopher's stone. When he tries to use the crystal, however, he realises that it only reflects his own subconscious desires. He understands that the crystal will not reveal the secret of chrysopoeia unless he already possesses the knowledge. Kreutz's discovery of the true nature of the philosopher's stone leads to his realisation that the pursuit of material transformation is futile. Instead, he believes that alchemy should be used to change the bad things in the world into good.

Kreutz's understanding of the philosopher's stone as a metaphorical concept aligns with the interpretation of alchemy as a spiritual pursuit. In this context, the philosopher's stone represents a "mystic key" that enables the spiritual transformation from an imperfect, corruptible state to a perfect, healthy, and incorruptible one. This interpretation suggests that the true nature of the philosopher's stone is not a physical substance but a symbolic representation of spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement.

Pan Kreutz's escape from Johann Tring

In The Trumpeter of Krakow, Pan Kreutz is a kind of Doctor Faustus, an alchemist and scholar who is tempted by the student Johann Tring to use his knowledge of chemistry and physics to gain wealth and power. Tring is obsessed with the idea of obtaining the philosopher's stone and convinces Kreutz to undergo hypnosis, believing it will reveal the secret of creating a chrysopoeia. Kreutz steals the Great Tarnov Crystal, believing it to be the chrysopoeia, but discovers it only reflects his own desires.

Kreutz eventually gives in to temptation and reveals the Crystal to Tring. Tired from his numerous trances, Kreutz falls into another as he stares at the gemstone. In this trance, he sees what he believes to be the formula for the chrysopoeia, but it is actually a formula for a niter-based explosive. When Tring mixes the ingredients, the loft explodes and he flees. Kreutz, still crazed, grabs the stone and runs into the streets of Krakow. He is eventually found by Jan Kanty, who takes the Crystal back to its rightful owner, Pan Andrew.

Kreutz's escape from Tring's influence is not explicitly described in the sources provided, but it can be inferred that it occurs during the chaos following the explosion. With the loft in flames and Tring fleeing for cover, Kreutz seizes the opportunity to escape with the Crystal. He runs through the streets of Krakow in a crazed state until he is found by Jan Kanty.

Kreutz's escape from Tring's power is short-lived, however. During an audience with King Kazimír, Kreutz, still entranced by the Crystal, grabs it and runs out, throwing it into the Vistula river. While he is no longer under Tring's direct influence, Kreutz's actions suggest that he remains obsessed with the Crystal.

Pan Kreutz's destruction of the Philosopher's Stone

In Eric P. Kelly's 1928 novel, "The Trumpeter of Krakow", Pan Kreutz is a character who is an alchemist and the uncle of Elżbietka. Kreutz is convinced by his student, Johann Tring, to undergo hypnosis to open his "Greater Mind" and reveal the secret of the creation of a chrysopoeia, or the Philosopher's Stone. Tring believes that the chrysopoeia will enable him to turn brass into gold.

Despite Kreutz's initial scepticism about the existence of such a stone, he eventually gives in to temptation and reveals the Great Tarnov Crystal to Tring. Tring, excited, instructs Kreutz to gaze into the crystal, which causes his thoughts to arrange themselves into a strange order. Kreutz reads in the stone what Tring believes to be the formula for turning brass into gold, but is actually the formula for a niter-based explosive. When Tring mixes the ingredients, the loft explodes into flames, and Kreutz, still crazed, heads into the streets of Krakow with the crystal.

Jan Kanty and King Kazimír decide not to retrieve the crystal, deeming it safely protected in the grounds of the castle. Kreutz is later found wandering aimlessly in the rubble with the crystal still in his hands. Eventually, Kreutz throws the crystal into the Vistula river, thus destroying it.

Frequently asked questions