Timekeeping Tome Revealed: The Hour's Compendium
Peter von Matt, a renowned Swiss literary scholar and critic, delves into the complexities of literature and its relationship with justice, fear, and the human psyche in his latest book, "Offenders, dry opportunists, light figures." The collection, which includes speeches, essays, and introductions, offers a captivating exploration of 250 years of German intellectual history, from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to Heiner Müller.
One of the book's most intriguing essays focuses on the classic novel "Peter Schlemihl" by Adalbert von Chamisso. In this essay, von Matt discusses the protagonist's depressing problem of not casting a shadow, a symbol that he argues represents something deeper than the fear of poverty and loss of money. The author suggests that this phenomenon is a frightening manifestation of the fear of being excluded and driven out of humanity, a phenomenon that Chamisso masterfully portrayed in his tale.
Another fascinating exploration in the book is the examination of children's literature, specifically the Biedermeier-era classic "Struwwelpeter." Contrary to popular belief, von Matt contends that the illustrations in "Struwwelpeter" charmingly mock realism, possessing dream-like qualities that anticipate aesthetic approaches found in surrealism a hundred years later. He argues that the book gives form to children's fears and anxieties about adults, temporarily banishing them.
The book also delves into the significance of William Shakespeare's figure of Hamlet, as well as the role of literature as a counter-world, a corrective to unjust institutions, a concept first proposed by Friedrich Schiller. Von Matt further discusses this idea in the context of works such as Heinrich von Kleist's "Michael Kohlhaas," Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," Bernhard Schlink's "The Reader," and many others.
Literature, according to von Matt, fascinates us when it takes us on a journey to the underworld, touching our fears and our abysses. By immersing itself in children's souls in the "Struwwelpeter" essay, the book offers understanding and enlightening words that resonate with readers of all ages.
While a detailed account of von Matt's arguments and methods in "Offenders, dry opportunists, light figures" cannot be provided without access to the book itself, his work is known for its focus on patterns, archetypes, and the psychology of literary characters, offering a unique and insightful perspective on the world of literature. For those interested in exploring von Matt's literary analyses further, consulting the German-language original or authoritative secondary literature is recommended.
- This book, "Offenders, dry opportunists, light figures," by Peter von Matt, offers an intriguing exploration of children's literature, such as the classic "Struwwelpeter."
- Besides adult literature, von Matt also delves into the world of entertainment, suggesting that the illustrations in "Struwwelpeter" possess dream-like qualities that anticipate aesthetic approaches found in surrealism.
