Literature, the 'Volk' and the Revolution in Mid-19th Century Germany

by Michael Perraudin

Overview

Between the revolutions of 1830 and 1848, poverty reached new extremes in Germany, as in other European countries, and gave rise to a class of disaffected poor, leading to the widespread expectation of a social revolution. Whether welcomed or feared, it dominated private and public debate to a larger extent than is generally assumed as is shown in this study on the reflections in literature of what was called the "Social Question."

Examining works by Heine, Eichendorff, Nestroy, Büchner, Grillparzer, and Theodor Storm, the author reveals an acute awareness of political issues in an era in literature which is often seen as tending to quiescence and withdrawal from public preoccupations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781571819895
Publisher:	Berghahn Books
Publication date:	03/01/2001
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Michael Perraudin is Professor and Head of Department of the Department of Germanic Studies at Sheffield University.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Folk Revival and Revolutionary Realities

Chapter 1. Heine and the Revolutionary Volk
Chapter 2. Towards a New Cultural Life. Büchner and the Volk
Chapter 3. The Fear of the Volk. Conservative Literature of the Social Question: Eichendorff and Gotthelf
Chapter 4. Nestroy, the Rabble and the Revolution
Chapter 5. The Popular Nationalism of Heine's Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen
Chapter 6. Revolution and Desire. Grillparzer and Stifter's Bunte Steine
Chapter 7. Mörikes Mozart auf der Reise nach Prag, the French Revolution and 1848
Chapter 8. Heimatlos. Theodor Storm, the Volk and the Aftermath of 1848

Conclusion

Bibliography
Index