Mixed Thoughts about Switzerland

Gottfried Keller

May 2024 · Marchen Press

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About this ebook

A critical Reader's Edition of Gottfried Keller's handwritten article "Mixed Thoughts about Switzerland". Keller wrote this article in Munich for a handwritten pub newspaper in 1841, before he turned to poetry. He was studying in Munich at the time, and had joined a Swiss student fraternity and met with them once a week at the "Wagnerbräu" pub for a pub crawl, during which he read a weekly paper that he was both the main contributor to and editor of. The only pieces of this that survived were those that he kept in one of his study books. This is the only full article that survived. Here he dialogues about the nation as an expression of political self-determination and will-formation - not as a power structure defined in terms of a nation. The Young Keller contemplates the external and internal challenges facing the Swiss nation, emphasizing the importance of national unity, independence, and the preservation of Swiss cultural and political distinctiveness. He argues against the idea propagated by some German commentators that Switzerland's diverse linguistic and cultural regions should align themselves with neighboring countries (Germany, France, Italy) based on language and ethnicity. Instead, the author asserts that Swiss national identity transcends these divisions, rooted in a shared history of independence, love of freedom, and a unique national character. Keller encourages the acceptance of good ideas and cultural practices from abroad, particularly in the arts and sciences, without compromising Swiss political independence. There is a call for intellectual openness and the integration of beneficial foreign influences. This modern critical reader's translation from the original German includes supplementary materials that bring Keller's life and impact to life. Nietzsche considered Keller to be one of the greatest living poets of his time.

This edition remedies that situation by providing a clear, accessible version of Keller's original German writing and offering insight into his broader ideas and the philosophical landscape in which he operated. Working directly from Keller's German manuscripts, this new translation delivers literary excellence and scholarly depth with amplifying materials. Readers will discover not only Keller's powerful voice but also the philosophical currents that shaped an entire era of German thought. The edition includes an illuminating afterword tracing Keller's intellectual relationship with Nietzsche, revealing the fascinating dialogue between two of the period's most influential minds. A comprehensive timeline connects the major events of Keller's life with his published works, and a detailed index provides an authoritative guide to his complete writings. Together, these materials provide newcomers and serious readers with everything needed to appreciate one of literature's most overlooked figures.

About the author

One of Nietzsche's favorite living poets (the only real Swiss poet in his opinion, Keller was a major Swiss poet and writer, Keller is best known for his novel "Green Henry" (German: "Der grüne Heinrich"). His work is representative of the Realist movement, which sought to depict life and society as they were. Keller's stories often reflect the conflict between individual creative drives and the constraints of society. His novel "The People of Seldwyla" was one of Nietzsche's favorite.

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