The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 02 / Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty Volumes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

11366

Title

The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 02 / Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty Volumes

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents masterpieces of German literature, featuring Goethe's novel *The Elective Affinities*, a tragedy of passion and duty where lawless attraction disrupts a happy marriage. It also includes essays on Wieland and Winckelmann, excerpts from *Wilhelm Meister*, and extensive correspondence with Humboldt and Zelter, offering profound insights into the artist's mind.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume II of *The German Classics* serves as a comprehensive anthology dedicated to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, centering on his late masterpiece, *The Elective Affinities*. The novel chronicles the tragic unraveling of a seemingly idyllic marriage between Edward and Charlotte, a middle-aged couple bound by affection but originally united for convenience. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when they invite Captain von Wellersegg, Edward's friend, and his niece Ottilie into their estate. A fatal accident involving their child awakens a profound sense of guilt in Ottilie, who feels compelled to renounce happiness. Her remorse leads her to starve herself to death, an act that ultimately drags her beloved Edward down with her. The narrative meticulously explores themes where character dictates fate, the conflict between instinct and duty, and the destructive power of unbridled passion. Beyond the novel, the volume offers critical insights through an introduction by Calvin Thomas, who analyzes Goethe's artistic choices and the scientific analogies regarding chemical affinity that influenced the story's title. The collection also features translations of Goethe's pedagogic reflections from *Wilhelm Meister*, his oration on Martin Wieland, and extensive correspondence detailing his scientific interests and views on Schiller. Additionally, the volume includes Eckermann's conversations with Goethe, providing a glimpse into the poet's daily life in Weimar, his experiments with color theory, and his thoughts on natural science. Through these diverse texts, the volume presents a rich portrait of Goethe not only as a novelist but as a polymath engaged with the intellectual currents of his time, balancing romantic idealism with rigorous observation.

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Categories

• Classics