Realismus to go (Die literarische Epoche in 7 Minuten)

Summary

This humorous script features various historical figures from the era of Realism, such as Otto von Bismarck, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Hebbel, discussing their contributions and the impact of Realism on society and literature. It humorously touches on topics like the rise of industrialization, the exploitation of the proletariat, and the shift from Romanticism to Realism in art and science, with a playful nod to the Swiss authors' contributions to the genre.

Takeaways

• 😀 Otto von Bismarck humorously compares himself to a pickled herring, suggesting that his political maneuvers were as sharp as the vinegary taste of the herring.
• 🏛 Bismarck was a Prussian statesman who became the first Chancellor of the German Empire in 1871, known for his realist approach to politics.
• 🔄 Karl Marx criticizes the era's industrialization and capitalism, highlighting the exploitation of the proletariat by wealthy capitalists.
• 🚫 Marx mentions the banning of socialists but also acknowledges Bismarck's introduction of social legislation, such as the first health insurance.
• 📚 Friedrich Hebbel is noted for his realistic plays that depict life as it is, often leading to tragic outcomes, reflecting the harsh realities of the time.
• 🎵 Richard Wagner is humorously portrayed as not being a realist but a composer of grand, opulent operas, embracing the romantic era rather than realism.
• 🇨🇭 Gottfried Keller is recognized for his 'Mother of all Monster Novels', 'The Black Spider', and his contribution to Swiss realism with his novels and criticism.
• 🎨 Conrad Ferdinand Meyer is mentioned for his poetic realism, including light, ironic stories and poems that contrast with the heavy themes of the time.
• 🌊 Theodor Storm is known for his decorative novellas set along the coast, often with a humorous touch, reflecting the poetic realism of the era.
• 📖 Theodor Fontane is highlighted for his novels that explore the decline of the nobility and the rise of the bourgeoisie, with a keen sense of humor and social critique.
• 🌐 The script provides a satirical and informative tour through the era of realism, touching on various authors and their works, and ending with a playful nod to the community of realism.

Q & A

Who is Otto von Bismarck and what is his claim to fame?

Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871. He is credited with unifying Germany and is known for his realpolitik approach to politics.

What does Otto von Bismarck imply about the 'sour herring' named after him?

Bismarck humorously suggests that the 'sour herring' is named after him because it is as 'sour' as the liberals who failed to achieve their goals despite their revolution in 1848, unlike his own successful reforms and wars.

Who is Karl Marx and what is his criticism of the era mentioned in the script?

Karl Marx was a philosopher, economist, and revolutionary. He criticizes the era for its industrialization and 'robber baron' capitalism, arguing that the rich capitalists exploit the working class without restraint.

What is the significance of the 'Communist Manifesto' mentioned by Karl Marx?

The 'Communist Manifesto' is a political pamphlet written by Marx and Friedrich Engels, which argues that the working class should unite against the rich capitalists and calls for the end of religion as a means of oppression.

What is Charles Darwin's contribution to science as mentioned in the script?

Charles Darwin is known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, which challenged the notion of humans as the crown of creation. His work 'On the Origin of Species' laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology.

What is Friedrich Hebbel's artistic focus as described in the script?

Friedrich Hebbel is a playwright who focuses on depicting life as it really is, often with tragic outcomes. His works include 'Maria Magdalena' and adaptations from the 'Nibelungenlied'.

How does Richard Wagner describe his contribution to the arts in the script?

Richard Wagner describes himself as a composer of grand, opulent operas, which are not aligned with realism but rather with the romantic movement. He is known for his successful works that people love.

What is Gottfried Keller's claim to fame according to the script?

Gottfried Keller is known for his 'Die Leute von Seldwyla' collection of stories and his novel 'Der Grüne Heinrich'. He is also referred to as the author of 'Die schwarze Spinne', a significant work in the realm of monster novels.

What is Conrad Ferdinand Meyer's contribution to Swiss literature as per the script?

Conrad Ferdinand Meyer is a Swiss poet known for his beautiful poems and slightly ironic stories such as 'Der Kollege'. He is part of the poetic realism movement.

What are Theodor Storm's notable works mentioned in the script?

Theodor Storm is known for his decorative novellas, often set on the coast, such as 'Immensee' and 'Der Schimmelreiter'. He also wrote humorous poems.

What is Theodor Fontane's perspective on the society of his time as described in the script?

Theodor Fontane critiques the decline of the nobility and the rise of the bourgeoisie in his works. He is known for novels like 'Irrungen Wirrungen' and 'Effi Briest', which depict unhappy relationships and societal norms.

How does the script summarize the era of realism?

The script summarizes the era of realism as a time of clear, critical, and poetic depictions of life, with a focus on the struggles of the proletariat and societal issues, as opposed to the idealism of previous periods.