The rise of National Socialism in Germany and the subsequent events of the mid-twentieth century transformed the literary landscape as well as that of the political. Feuchtwanger’s work from 1933 onwards is noticeably characterised and coloured by his status as an Exile author: his somewhat strained relationship with both homeland and adopted country, the United States, comes to the forefront in his writing. There is a convincing argument to be made that that Feuchtwanger’s development of the historical novel was essentially a didactic exercise, mastered against the backdrop of the rise of Nazism and the later political dynamics of the 1950s with the onset of the Cold War and the Red Scare in the United States. The author had as his purpose to convey the lessons of history and, by extension, to afford the reader the opportunity to apply these lessons to the political affairs of the present, all the while maintaining a steadfast belief that the reason would prevail over unreason – an unwavering faith in the eventual enlightenment of man.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Exile and ‘Heimat’: Tensions in Lion Feuchtwanger's Historical Fiction and Drama 1933-1951
- The Rise of National Socialism and Exile
- The Historical Novel as a Didactic Genre
- Feuchtwanger’s ‘Modernizing’ of the Historical Novel
- A Clear Political Agenda
- The Significance of the Historical Framework
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines the tension between exile and ‘Heimat’ in the historical fiction and drama of Lion Feuchtwanger, focusing on his works from 1933 to 1951. It explores how Feuchtwanger's experience as an exile author shaped his writing, particularly his strained relationship with both his homeland and his adopted country, the United States.
- The impact of the rise of National Socialism on Feuchtwanger's life and work
- The role of the historical novel as a vehicle for conveying political and social messages
- The tension between Feuchtwanger's German heritage and his American exile
- Feuchtwanger's use of historical material to address contemporary issues
- The author's belief in the power of reason to overcome unreason
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Rise of National Socialism and Exile: This chapter examines the rise of National Socialism in Germany and its impact on Feuchtwanger's life and work. It explores the reasons behind Feuchtwanger's exile, including the persecution of Jewish intellectuals and the book burnings of 1933. This chapter details Feuchtwanger's experience of being forced to leave his homeland and his eventual settlement in the United States.
- The Historical Novel as a Didactic Genre: This chapter discusses Feuchtwanger's use of the historical novel as a didactic genre. It explores his belief that the historical novel could serve as a tool for teaching the lessons of history and encouraging readers to apply those lessons to the present day. This section will examine Feuchtwanger's view of the historical novel as a weapon against unreason and violence.
- Feuchtwanger’s ‘Modernizing’ of the Historical Novel: This chapter examines Feuchtwanger's approach to the historical novel, arguing that he sought to modernize the genre by using historical facts as allegorical material for his analysis of contemporary issues. This section will explore Feuchtwanger's defense of the historical novel against accusations of banality and his view of the genre as a vehicle for raising the subject matter to a higher level of socio-political significance.
- A Clear Political Agenda: This chapter explores the political agenda behind Feuchtwanger's historical fiction and drama, arguing that he aimed to appeal to his readers' reason and sense of justice. It discusses how Feuchtwanger viewed the historical novel as a weapon against unreason and violence, and how he sought to activate the events of the past for the present and future.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts in this study include exile, ‘Heimat’, historical fiction, historical novel, didacticism, reason, unreason, National Socialism, the Weimar Republic, Jewish intellectuals, book burnings, censorship, cultural control, political agenda, and contemporary issues. These themes intertwine to paint a complex picture of the author's response to the political and cultural upheavals of the mid-20th century.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2009, Exile and ‘Heimat’: Tensions in Lion Feuchtwanger’s Historical Fiction and Drama 1933-1951, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135446
