Caspar Hauser; oder, Die Trägheit des Herzens, Roman

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25721

Title

Caspar Hauser; oder, Die Trägheit des Herzens, Roman

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1828 Nuremberg, this novel chronicles the mysterious life of Caspar Hauser, a boy found abandoned on the streets with no memory of his past. As he navigates a world of suspicion and intrigue, his innocence clashes with societal cynicism. Wassermann explores profound themes of identity, the corruption of the human heart, and the tragic cost of ignorance, offering a poignant meditation on what it means to be human.

Summary up to 500 words

In the summer of 1828, Nuremberg is shaken by the discovery of Caspar Hauser, a seventeen-year-old boy found wandering the streets in tattered clothing, unable to speak coherently and displaying the physical awkwardness of a child. Taken into custody, Caspar baffles medical officials and police; while some suspect him of being a fraud, others, including Professor Daumer and jailer Hill, believe he is a genuine victim of a crime. His origins remain a mystery, with a letter found on him suggesting he was abandoned by a poor man in 1815, yet his refined features and lack of knowledge about basic facts contradict this simple explanation. Caspar is granted limited freedom under the supervision of Lieutenant Hickel and the devoted Clara von Kannawurf. Clara, who traveled specifically to the city for him, offers Caspar a chance to flee to her estate in Switzerland, promising him a life free from danger and burden. However, Caspar refuses, stating firmly that he belongs elsewhere, in a place he cannot yet identify. His days are filled with confusion, fear, and fleeting moments of connection, particularly with the kind teacher Quandt and Clara. Despite these bonds, tensions rise as Lieutenant Hickel becomes increasingly suspicious and hostile, driven by suspicion and perhaps personal corruption. He grows to distrust Caspar and his companion, eventually discovering a book by Feuerbach in Caspar's possession, which fuels his paranoia. The narrative builds toward a devastating conclusion. Caspar's fate is sealed when he suddenly collapses and dies, his heart found pierced through, suggesting a violent end orchestrated by those around him. Following his death, Clara's devotion curdles into madness. She publicly accuses those responsible, including the authorities and perhaps even Quandt, declaring them murderers. She descends into insanity, screaming accusations at the graveside as a cross is erected over Caspar's tomb. The novel ends with a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions regarding the boy's true origins and the nature of the heart's inertia, leaving the reader to ponder the dark undercurrents of betrayal and moral decay that surrounded his existence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25721.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25721.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 11:27 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• Fiction