The Elusiveness of Tolerance: The "Jewish Question" from Lessing to the Napoleonic WarsPeter Erspamer explores the 'Jewish question' in German literature from Lessing's Nathan der Weise in 1779 to Sessa's Unser Verkehr in 1815. He analyzes the transition from an enlightened emancipatory literature advocating tolerance in the late eighteenth century to an anti-Semitic literature with nationalistic overtones in the early nineteenth century. Erspamer examines Nathan in light of Lessing's attempts to distance himself from the excesses of his own Christian in-group through pariah identification, using an idealized member of an out-group religion as a vehicle to attack the dominant religion. He also focuses on other leading advocates of tolerance and explores changes in Jewish identity, particularly the division of German Jewry into orthodox Jews, adherents of the Haskalah, and converted Jews. |
Contents
The Beginnings of the Tolerance Debate | 32 |
Jewish Identity in a Changing World | 64 |
Emancipatory Drama after Lessing | 98 |
Copyright | |
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accept According advocates anti-Semitism argues Ascher assimilation attempts became become belief Berlin bourgeois cause century character Christian concept consensus formation constitution convert critical culture discourse Dohm dominant drama economic elements emancipation emergence Enlightenment equal examination exclusion existence expression faith fear feels Friedrich Gentiles German give granted Grattenauer hand History human humor Ibid identification identity individual influence ingroup interest Jewish Jewish emancipation Jews Judaism Jude Juden laws lead Lessing Lessing's linguistic literature live maintains major means Mendelssohn minority moral Moses Nathan der Weise Natural notion oppression original orthodox Christianity person Pfranger philosopher play points political portrayed position prejudices principles promote question reason reformation regarded rejection religion religious represents role rules seeks social society status teachings tion tolerance trade traditional tries truths values viewed wanted wishes writing