Germany in the Eighteenth Century: The Social Background of the Literary Revival

This 1935 book plunges the reader into life in Germany two hundred years ago, linking everyday life with the thought of the age.

W. H. Bruford (Author)

9780521092593, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 1935

376 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

From the balls and masquerades of the court to the half-naked children of the peasants; from hunting and winter sports to details of authorship and publishing; from law to sanitation, this 1935 book plunges the reader into life in Germany two hundred years ago. The author links everyday life and current traditions with some of the outstanding features in the literature and thought of the age, thus providing a full picture of the political, economic and social background to the intellectual and artistic achievements of the period. In the process he has brought out some of the enduring processes of German life.

Part I. Political Structure and System of Government: 1. 'Kleinstaaterei'
2. Benevolent despotism
Part II. The Old Order of Society - Nobility and Peasantry: 1. The nobility in general
2. Courts and courtiers
3. The agrarian economy
4. The peasant
5. The country gentleman
Part III. The New Order of Society - The Middle Class: 1. Retrospect
2. German trade and industry in the eighteenth century and its chief centres
3. Municipal government and the structure of town society
4. Architecture of the towns. Private life, outlook and education of the townsmen
5. The professional class
Part IV. Reactions on Literature: 1. The profession of letters
2. The influence of political, economic and social factors on literature
Appendices
Bibliography
Supplementary bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800 [DSBD]