The Novels of Johann Karl Wezel: Satire, Realism and Social Criticism in Late 18th Century LiteratureOn the assumption that satirical literature formulated an important perspective of actual conditions prevalent in the social, philosophi- cal and political aspects of life in 18th century Germany, the author examines the reasons for the poor reception of satire in Germany and the ensuing difficulties confronting J.K. Wezel in presenting his own thoughts to his contemporaries as the English satirists had done in England. The discussion focuses on Wezel's criticism of the major literary movements of the time as well as on philosophical convictions and social attitudes which supported these movements, including the impact of new economic theory from England and various experimental political structures under debate. Wezel is seen as the foremost German satirist of the time and his other prose contributions, including an «anthropological» novel and a «bourgeoise» epic establish Wezel as an important unorthodox thinker whose stubborn realism reveals a new context for 18th century literary studies. |
Contents
Explanation of Footnotes | 7 |
The Social Education of Laughter | 21 |
Literary Satire | 70 |
Copyright | |
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18th century according Akante allen Amalie andern Anhang Anton Reiser Aufklärung Augen Belphegor character concept contrast criticism described deutschen Ehre Eigenliebe einmal Elmickor emotional Empfindsamkeit Frau Fromal function ganze Geist Gellert German Geschichte Gesellschaft gewiss Glück Glückseligkeit Goethe habe heisst Herr Herrmann und Ulrike Irwing island Jahrhunderts Johann Kakerlak können Kopf lassen lässt Leben Leipzig Liebe literary literature machen macht Mann Medardus melancholy Mensch Menschen Merck moral Müller muss Nachwort nature nobility Ohlau peasant philosophy political politische portrayal quoted reader realistic reality recht rejected Robinson Krusoe role Roman satire Sauder Schwinger Seele seine Selmann seyn Siegmund social society soll Sondershausen Sophronius story Sturm und Drang Theil thun Thurn tion TK III TK IV Tobias Knaut Vergnügen Verstand Versuch viel Vorrede wahre waren Webson Welt weniger Werther Wezel Wezel's satirical wieder Wieland Wilhelmine Arend Wilhelmine's wohl wollte Zeit