In times of emigration, the strict lyrical form of the sonnet had a special position and meaning, above all for the emotionally agitated poets themselves, who identified a lot with their emotive texts. Especially among German authors of the inner emigration, the sonnet was considered the „Modeform des Widerstandes“ , as it was the dominating genre – and this is for several reasons, which are going to be examined in the course of this essay.
First of all, one highly interesting fact has to be mentioned: The sonnet could and can only be found conspicuously seldom in national socialist lyric anthologies because, having its roots in a roman tradition, the form was considered to be “artfremd” and “undeutsch” – and, hence, it was not appropriate to the taste of the German national socialist ‘Reichschrifttumskammer’. The common opinion of the time was that the sonnet was too ‘bright’ for the German nature, so that – on top of everything – this strict lyrical form was regarded as “Typikum der antifaschistischen Kräfte”.
This essay attempts at exemplarily outlining how and why the form of the sonnet was applied by poets in the time of the Second World War, especially by a number of German authors. What are the extraordinary features this lyrical form offered (and still offer) various artists in a time so full of emotions, of fear, despair, but also hope and anger? And how did poets make use of these features; how did they develop them?
These questions are to be illuminated by looking at a number of concrete examples of wartime poets, which will certainly display a colourful demonstration not only of different working methods and applications of the sonnet form, but also of divergent feelings and ways to handle a gruesome fate.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. INTRODUCTION
- II. THE SONNET – AN EXTRAORDINARY FORM
- III. SONNET POETS IN GERMANY
- III.I Reinhold Schneider
- III.II Rudolf Hagelstange
- III.III Johannes R. Becher
- III.IV Erich Fried
- III.V Albrecht Haushofer
- III. VI Jesse Thoor
- III. VII Bertolt Brecht
- IV. CONCLUSIVE SUMMARY
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to explore the significance of the sonnet form in German poetry during World War II, particularly among poets of the inner emigration. It investigates why this strict lyrical form, rooted in Roman tradition, was chosen as a means of expression during a time of conflict and oppression.
- The sonnet as a form of resistance against Nazi ideology
- The sonnet's potential to express a wide range of emotions, including fear, despair, hope, and anger
- The stylistic and thematic variations of the sonnet form in the hands of different poets
- The use of the sonnet by poets of the inner emigration to communicate their beliefs and experiences
- The enduring relevance of the sonnet as a lyrical form for addressing complex and emotional themes
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by outlining the unique significance of the sonnet form during World War II, especially for poets who found themselves in a state of inner emigration. The paper highlights the sonnet's controversial status under the Nazi regime, where it was considered "artfremd" and "undeutsch." It emphasizes the sonnet's ability to express a range of emotions and its use as a tool for resistance against the prevailing ideology.
The second chapter delves deeper into the specific characteristics of the sonnet, emphasizing its flexibility despite its strict structure. It explores the form's potential for variation in meter, rhyme, and enjambment, highlighting its adaptability and enduring power.
The third chapter presents a series of prominent sonnet poets in Germany, offering brief introductions and examples of their work. The chapter focuses on showcasing the diverse ways in which these poets utilized the sonnet form, demonstrating its adaptability and capacity for expressing a wide range of emotions and perspectives on the war.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and themes of this paper include: sonnet, inner emigration, World War II, Nazi ideology, resistance, lyric form, emotional expression, poetic form, diversity, and historical context.
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- Sabine Buchholz (Autor), 2006, The sonnet in World War II, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82633
