Here's the (sub)plot of the novel as I conceptualize it
this morning.  Consider a study of the fate (Schicksal) of intellect
in society. In the three protagonists, Katenus, Mengs and Joachim,
intellect (nous) comes to grief in different ways. Joachim is
destroyued by the conflict of intellect and eros; Mengs is destroyed
by the conflict of intellect and (academic) convention. Katenus is
destroyed by the incongruity of truth and society. Katenus says in
effect: "Ich bin in die Welt kommen, dass ich die Wahrheit sagen sollte.
Wer aus der Wahrheit ist, der hoeret meine Stimme." This appearance of
truth is intolerable to the high priests of the appeals court.