E. T. A. Hoffmann and the Serapiontic Principle: Critique and Creativity (Studies in German Literature Linguistics and Culture, 73)

Critics have long sought to elucidate the multilayered texts of E. T. A. Hoffmann by applying to them a particular set of theories and ideas that Hoffmann himself subsumed under the heading of the "Serapiontic Principle." This principle, which Hoffmann expounded in his collection of tales Die Serapionsbrüder, involves a complex intersection of the artist's faculties of imagination and perception. However, Hoffmann's mode of presenting his theory presents an unusual problem: rather than the usual form of an essay or treatise, he adopts a fictional framework, complete with a set of "characters"; this in turn sets up a number of perspectives on the theory itself. This combination of literary and theoretical elements presents a severe challenge to critics, and not surprisingly there has been little agreement about what the "principle" actually entails or its wider relevance. With the principle as prime focus, this book provides detailed analysis of a broadly based selection of Hoffmann's texts, both theoretical and literary. It offers new perspectives on his narrative invention and the range of his theoretical interests, thus redefining his place at the forefront of German Romanticism. Hilda Meldrum Brown is Professor of German at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford. Critics Have Long Sought To Elucidate The Multilayered Texts Of E. T. A. Hoffmann By Applying To Them A Particular Set Of Theories And Ideas That Hoffmann Himself Subsumed Under The Heading Of The Serapiontic Principle. This Principle, Which Hoffmann Expounded In His Collection Of Tales Die Serapionsbrüder, Involves A Complex Intersection Of The Artist's Faculties Of Imagination And Perception. However, Hoffmann's Mode Of Presenting His Theory Presents An Unusual Problem: Rather Than The Usual Form Of An Essay Or Treatise, He Adopts A Fictional Framework, Complete With A Set Of Characters; This In Turn Sets Up A Number Of Perspectives On The Theory Itself. This Combination Of Literary And Theoretical Elements Presents A Severe Challenge To Critics, And Not Surprisingly There Has Been Little Agreement About What The Principle Actually Entails Or Its Wider Relevance. With The Principle As Prime Focus, This Book Provides Detailed Analysis Of A Broadly Based Selection Of Hoffmann's Texts, Both Theoretical And Literary. It Offers New Perspectives On His Narrative Invention And The Range Of His Theoretical Interests, Thus Redefining His Place At The Forefront Of German Romanticism. --publisher Description. Approaches To The Serapiontic Principle -- Overture: Jacques Callot -- Der Einsiedler Serapion: The Formulation Of A Principle -- Der Dichter Und Der Komponist: Text And Music -- Alte Und Neue Kirchenmusik -- Prinzessin Brambilla: Callot Revisited -- Epilogue: Des Vetters Eckfenster -- Frame Narrative And The Serapiontic Principle -- From Visual To Verbal: Three Serapiontic Tales -- The Nachtseite Der Natur And The Serapiontic Principle -- The Märchen And The Serapiontic Principle -- The Serapiontic Principle: The Wider Critique. Hilda Meldrum Brown. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [201]-206) And Index. A comprehensive investigation of Hoffmann's'Serapiontic Principle'and what it implies for his oeuvre.Critics have long sought to elucidate the multilayered texts of E. T. A. Hoffmann by applying to them a particular set of theories and ideas that Hoffmann himself subsumed under the heading of the'Serapiontic Principle.'This principle, which Hoffmann expounded in his collection of tales Die Serapionsbrüder, involves a complex intersection of the artist's faculties of imagination and perception. However, Hoffmann's mode of presenting his theory presents an unusual problem: rather than the usual form of an essay or treatise, he adopts a fictional framework, complete with a set of'characters'; this in turn sets up a number of perspectives on the theory itself. This combination of literary and theoretical elements presents a severe challenge to critics, and not surprisingly there has been little agreement about what the'principle'actually entails or its wider relevance. With the principle as prime focus, this book provides detailed analysis of a broadly based selection of Hoffmann's texts, both theoretical and literary. It offers new perspectives on his narrative invention and the range of his theoretical interests, thus redefining his place at the forefront of German Romanticism. Hilda Meldrum Brown is Professor of German at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford. A comprehensive investigation of Hoffmann's "Serapiontic Principle" and what it implies for his oeuvre. Critics have long sought to elucidate the multilayered texts of E. T. A. Hoffmann by applying to them a particular set of theories and ideas that Hoffmann himself subsumed under the heading of the "Serapiontic Principle." This principle, which Hoffmann expounded in his collection of tales Die Serapionsbrder, involves a complex intersection of the artist's faculties of imagination and perception. However, Hoffmann's mode of presenting his theory presents an unusual rather than the usual form of an essay or treatise, he adopts a fictional framework, complete with a set of "characters"; this in turn sets up a number of perspectives on the theory itself. This combination of literary and theoretical elements presents a severe challenge to critics, and not surprisingly there has been little agreement about what the "principle" actually entails or its wider relevance. With the principle as prime focus, this book provides detailed analysis of a broadly based selection of Hoffmann's texts, both theoretical and literary. It offers new perspectives on his narrative invention and the range of his theoretical interests, thus redefining his place at the forefront of German Romanticism. Hilda Meldrum Brown is Professor of German at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford. CONTENTS ......Page 8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......Page 9 PREFACE ......Page 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......Page 12 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......Page 14 Introduction: Approaches to the Serapiontic Principle......Page 16 Part 1......Page 34 1: Overture: Jacques Callot......Page 36 2: Der Einsiedler Serapion: The Formulation of a Principle......Page 48 3: Der Dichter und Der Komponist: Text and Music......Page 72 4: Alte und neue Kirchenmusik......Page 87 5: Prinzessin Brambilla: Callot Revisited......Page 107 6: Epilogue: Des Vetters Eckfenster......Page 121 Part 2......Page 132 7: Frame Narrative and the Serapiontic Principle......Page 134 8: From Visual to Verbal: Three Serapiontic Tales......Page 150 9: The “Nachtseite der Natur” and the Serapiontic Principle......Page 172 10: The Märchen and the Serapiontic Principle......Page 184 11: The Serapiontic Principle: The Wider Critique......Page 200 CONCLUSION ......Page 212 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY ......Page 216 INDEX ......Page 222