Syllabus
- Theoretical introduction to the German literature in Bohemia, especially to the Prague German literature,
- historical and cultural-political context,
- development of Prague German literature from the middle of the 19th century to the middle of 20th century,
- problems of reception of Prague German literature
- work and literary output of Egon Erwin Kisch, literary interpretation of literary reports by course participants (from books: Geschichten aus sieben Ghettos or Marktplatz der Sensationen)
- work and literary output of Oskar Baum, interpretation of one of his short stories selected by course participants
- Franz Werfel- his work and literary output, interpretation of the novel Der Abituriententag or the short story Das Trauerhaus
- Lenka Reinerová- interpretation of one of her short stories selected by course participants
- Gustav Meyrink- interpretation of one of his short stories selected by course participants
- Viktor Hadwiger, Paul Leppin- lyrical work, interpretation of selected poems
Annotation
The course Prague German literature offers an insight in the Prague German literature, which is very often reduced only on Franz Kafka and Rainer Maria Rilke, but you will see, that there were several good and at that time well known writers, but some of are by current readers unfortunately forgotten. After a brief introduction, which helps you to understand the specifics of German-written literature, which is a part of the cultural history of Bohemia, you will get knowledge about the authors and their selected pieces of work.
The introduction provides you a picture of Prague and its literature at the turn of the 19th and 20th century, its traditions and special tendencies, neo-romanticism and the Prague Myth. Afterwards the life and work of e.g. Reiner Maria Rilke, Franz Werfel, Egon Erwin Kisch, Lenka Reinerová, Johannes Urzidil, Gustav Meyrink will be presented.