Laurence Sterne in Germany / A Contribution to the Study of the Literary Relations of / England and Germany in the Eighteenth Century

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26183

Title

Laurence Sterne in Germany / A Contribution to the Study of the Literary Relations of / England and Germany in the Eighteenth Century

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This scholarly study traces Laurence Sterne's reception in eighteenth-century Germany, exploring how English literary influence shaped German culture. It examines the delayed but eventual adoption of Sterne's works, analyzing translations, critical reviews, and the unique German appreciation for his sentimental humor.

Summary up to 500 words

Harvey W. Hewett-Thayer's *Laurence Sterne in Germany* offers a comprehensive history of the English author's reception on the continent during the eighteenth century. The work argues that while German culture initially resisted Sterne's eccentricities, it eventually embraced his sentimental style as a vital counterbalance to French dominance and rigid classicism. Thayer details the slow but steady penetration of Sterne's fame, noting a distinct timeline where his sermons were translated and appreciated early on, while his novel *Tristram Shandy* faced skepticism due to its perceived lack of clerical propriety. The text analyzes early translations, such as Johann Friedrich Zückert's flawed but pioneering 1763 version, and discusses how major figures like Goethe and Lessing eventually recognized Sterne's genius. A central theme of the book is the shift in German literary taste from the extraordinary to the everyday, a transition facilitated by English models like Richardson and Fielding. Thayer highlights the specific mechanisms of this cultural exchange, including the role of literary journals in disseminating British thought and the eventual acceptance of Sterne's 'whimsical' narrative voice as a legitimate artistic form. The author explores the broader context of German indebtedness to English literature, describing a period of 'Anglomania' that helped bring Germany to a consciousness of its own inherent possibilities. Thayer examines the peculiarities of German literary criticism, which often prioritized moral instruction and theory over the individual development of character found in English humor. He traces the evolution of German appreciation, from initial forced condescension to enthusiastic acceptance, illustrating how Sterne's influence helped shape the German novel into a distinct art form capable of expressing the realities of everyday life. Ultimately, the book serves as a significant contribution to understanding the profound intellectual awakening and literary relations between England and Germany during this transformative era.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Travel
• Comparative Literature