Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 2. The Romantic School in Germany

Name: Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 2. The Romantic School in Germany
Author: Georg Brandes

By Georg Brandes

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Essays, Letters & Speeches German Literature

About This Book

The volume surveys the German Romantic movement, tracing its origins and charting major figures and groups while interpreting their aesthetics and social aims. Brandes profiles pioneers and poets, critics and novelists, and examines recurring motifs such as longing and the blue-flower symbol, mysticism, idealized nature, artistic duplication, and the Romantic view of music and drama. He investigates tensions between form and life, critiques of contemporary society, experiments in genre, controversies over works like Lucinde, and the movement's political and social engagements, linking psychological tendencies to broader cultural reception and the shift from earlier classicist models.

About the Author

Georg Brandes

Georg Brandes (1842-1927) was a Danish literary critic and essayist, known for his influential role in introducing modern literary ideas to Scandinavia. He is particularly recognized for his extensive work, "Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature," which analyzes the evolution of literature during that period across various countries. Brandes championed naturalism and realism, advocating for a more critical and analytical approach to literature. His biographical studies, including those of notable figures like Anatole France and Friedrich Nietzsche, reflect his deep engagement with contemporary thought. In addition to his critical work, Brandes also penned autobiographical reflections in "Recollections of My Childhood and Youth," offering insights into his formative years.