The Case of B. Traven

The Enigma of B. Traven: The Ghost Writer and the Search for an Identity

Few names in 20th-century literature evoke as persistent a mystery as that of B. Traven. An internationally renowned author, whose novels such as "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and "Cananéia" captured the imagination of millions, Traven remained for decades an ethereal figure, a ghost in his own story. His work, filled with adventures in exotic lands and critiques of capitalism, contrasted sharply with his deliberate evasion of any public or biographical recognition. This article aims to unravel the fragments of a deliberately obscured life, investigating the real identity behind the pseudonym and the events that shaped one of history's greatest literary enigmas.

The Context and the Incident: The Shadow of the Unknown

The mystery of B. Traven did not begin with a single, specific incident, but rather with the author's very existence. From the publication of his first short stories and novels, around the 1920s, Traven published under a pseudonym, vehemently denying any attempt to reveal his real identity. His publishers, both in Germany and internationally, maintained an almost sacred silence on the matter, contributing to the aura of enigma. Where he lived, what he looked like, and what his personal history was were questions that hung in the air, fueled by the atmosphere of adventure and social critique in his works, which often described the lives of workers, adventurers, and revolutionaries in remote locations, especially in Mexico.

The "revelation" of his identity, which we will see later, did not end the mystery but deepened it, casting new doubts and controversies about who the man who wrote under the name B. Traven truly was.

Timeline of Key Events

• Early 1920s: Publication of B. Traven's first works, such as "The Gold Ship" (Die Brücke im Dschungel), which quickly gained popularity.
• 1930s: Works like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (Der Schatz der Sierra Madre) are published, consolidating his worldwide fame. Traven maintains strict anonymity.
• Post-World War II: Traven's figure becomes even more enigmatic, with sporadic publications and no public appearances.
• 1950s: A man in Mexico City, Ret Marut, begins to be pointed out by some as the real B. Traven. He publishes articles defending the thesis, but his identity is also controversial.
• 1956: A man claiming to be Ret Marut dies in Mexico City.
• 1969: The German writer and journalist Ernst Schnabel publishes "Der unbekannte Traven" (The Unknown Traven), attempting to unravel the author's identity. He identifies Otto Feige, a German actor and revolutionary, as the real Traven, based on evidence he considers definitive.
• 1996: Declassified archives from the Stasi (East German secret police) raise new questions about Traven's identity and his possible political connections.
• 2000s onwards: Academic and journalistic research continues to explore various hypotheses, without a definitive consensus.

The Main Theories About B. Traven's Identity

The difficulty in tracing B. Traven's identity has given rise to a myriad of theories, each with its proponents and often conflicting evidence.

Theory 1: Ret Marut

This is the most popular and widely disseminated theory, especially after the death of the man who identified himself as Ret Marut in Mexico City. The logic behind this theory lies in the fact that Ret Marut was a pseudonym used by a German anarchist revolutionary who fled Europe after World War I and settled in Mexico. Marut was also a writer and activist, and some of his publications and actions seemed to align with the themes and spirit of Traven's works. The similarity of themes, voluntary exile, and political activism are the pillars of this hypothesis.

Theory 2: Otto Feige

This theory, vigorously promoted by Ernst Schnabel, suggests that B. Traven was actually Otto Feige, a German theater actor who was also politically involved and had lived in various places, including the United States and Mexico. Schnabel based his conclusion on letters, photographs, and testimonies that he considered convincing, presenting Feige as an individual who would fit the profile of a reclusive writer with a life full of experiences that could inspire Traven's works. The motivation for anonymity, according to Schnabel, would be the pursuit of freedom of expression and escape from political persecution.

Theory 3: The "Collective" or a Fragmented Identity

Some researchers and critics raise the possibility that "B. Traven" was not a single person, but rather a pseudonym used by a group of writers, or that the identity was deliberately constructed and modified over time. This theory is based on the inconsistency of some biographical details and the geographical breadth of the experiences described in the works. The logic here is that a prolific ghostwriter would need a support network or a multifaceted persona to maintain such anonymity.

Theory 4: Other Hypothetical (and Speculative) Identities

Over the years, several other names have been associated with B. Traven, including that of an English sailor named Traven Torsvan (identified by some as the owner of a boat in Mexico), or even the speculation that "B. Traven" was a figure created by a publisher to give a mysterious air to an already established author. These theories, for the most part, lack robust evidence and remain in the realm of speculation, often fueled by the lack of concrete information.

Controversies and Blind Spots

The investigation into B. Traven's identity is fraught with controversies and gaps that prevent a definitive resolution.

• Fragmented and Contradictory Evidence: The available documents and testimonies are, in many cases, partial, contradictory, or difficult to verify. Letters were lost, testimonies were recorded decades after the events, and photographs are scarce and of low quality.
• The "Will" of Ret Marut: The claim that the man who died in Mexico as Ret Marut was indeed B. Traven was based on his own word and testimonies from people close to him, but it was never conclusively proven with forensic examinations or irrefutable documents.
• The Role of Publishers: Traven's publishers, intentionally or not, perpetuated the mystery. The reluctance to provide biographical information and the possible manipulation of details to increase interest in the author are significant blind spots in the investigation.
• Lack of Forensic Confirmation: The absence of DNA tests or other rigorous forensic examinations on any of the potential "Trevans" prevents definitive confirmation of his identity.
• Stasi Archives: Declassified reports from the East German Stasi suggested that B. Traven might have had connections with intelligence services or the international communist movement. However, the nature of these archives and the interpretation of their information are still subject to debate and do not provide a concrete answer about the author's identity.

Curiosities and Legacy

The mystery of B. Traven transcended the pages of his books, becoming a cultural phenomenon in itself. His work continues to be read and admired for its insightful social critique, its engaging narratives, and its vivid portrayal of life on the fringes of society. The very enigma of his identity served as a powerful catalyst for popular imagination, fueling discussions and speculation for generations.

Currently, the case of B. Traven remains "on hold" in the sense that there is no official investigation underway to unravel his identity. However, the persistence of the mystery and the fascination it holds ensure that the search for answers continues in academia, among journalists, and especially among readers who are enchanted by the idea of a ghost writer who, through his words, left an indelible mark on the world.