Mirabell
26-Oct-2008, 13:27
Ok, here goes.
I propose we read three novels. Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, "WM's Apprenticeship", of course, which is pretty regularly translated into English, no editorial mishaps there.
Second, we read a non Wilhelm novel, Die Wahlverwandtschaften, translated as Elective Affinities into English. I propose this since on thumbing through the second Meister novel again, I saw to what extent Goethe relies on his past work, and especially on this novel.
If this were not too much for y'all I'd propose to add the Italian Journey to that middle part, but it's long and may be too much, although, really, it's very helpful to understanding the Wanderjahre.
And the capstone of our reading would then be Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre, translated as "journeyman years". There are two editions, one early, written before the Elective Affinities, one late, after them, like a capstone to his work in general. In German lit the latter version is generally accepted as the one to use and I'd like us to use it, too, but I don't know which has been translated. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Any input to this 3 (4?) book plan? If the two who have 'signed up' insist, we can cut the non Wilhelm books completely.
Herewith I also propose how the reading of the first book to read, Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, could work. The book is divided into volumes-books-chapters. since as far as I can see the volumes each take up ~150 pp in my edition (of 685), we can do it by volumes. NOt sure if a volume per week isn't too much for you. If it is, why not do a volume per two weeks.
A cordial invitation goes out to the other worldliteratureforumsmen and lurking woodsmen to join us. I swear you have never read anything like it. Goethe may be dull at times, but he was probably the most widely knowledgeable writer of his time, a true polymath, whose work is riddled with ambiguities on the one hand and a classical certainty on the other hand.
I propose we read three novels. Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, "WM's Apprenticeship", of course, which is pretty regularly translated into English, no editorial mishaps there.
Second, we read a non Wilhelm novel, Die Wahlverwandtschaften, translated as Elective Affinities into English. I propose this since on thumbing through the second Meister novel again, I saw to what extent Goethe relies on his past work, and especially on this novel.
If this were not too much for y'all I'd propose to add the Italian Journey to that middle part, but it's long and may be too much, although, really, it's very helpful to understanding the Wanderjahre.
And the capstone of our reading would then be Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre, translated as "journeyman years". There are two editions, one early, written before the Elective Affinities, one late, after them, like a capstone to his work in general. In German lit the latter version is generally accepted as the one to use and I'd like us to use it, too, but I don't know which has been translated. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Any input to this 3 (4?) book plan? If the two who have 'signed up' insist, we can cut the non Wilhelm books completely.
Herewith I also propose how the reading of the first book to read, Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, could work. The book is divided into volumes-books-chapters. since as far as I can see the volumes each take up ~150 pp in my edition (of 685), we can do it by volumes. NOt sure if a volume per week isn't too much for you. If it is, why not do a volume per two weeks.
A cordial invitation goes out to the other worldliteratureforumsmen and lurking woodsmen to join us. I swear you have never read anything like it. Goethe may be dull at times, but he was probably the most widely knowledgeable writer of his time, a true polymath, whose work is riddled with ambiguities on the one hand and a classical certainty on the other hand.