The reception of Friedrich Hebbel in Germany in the era of National Socialism
Abstract
The following thesis examines the impact on the interpretation of Hebbel's
personality and works of National Socialist ideology and propaganda. It
comprises six chapters. The first five of these explore different areas
of ideological influence and provide evidence of the nature and extent of
this influence. The sixth chapter looks at the reception of Hebbel in the
National Socialist theatres and at the growth and development of the
Hebbel-Society between 1933 and 1945. The aim of the thesis is primarily
to break down the National Socialist view of Hebbel into its constituent
parts and to categorise these. An acquaintance with Hebbel's works and
beliefs reveals that the National Socialist view of him is largely
inaccurate and distortive. The thesis has to explain why the National
Socialists developed a false view of Hebbel. And it has to point as
frequently as necessary to the differences between Hebbel as he was in
reality and Hebbel as the National Socialists saw him. The thesis does
not present National Socialist interpretations as having totally
revolutionised Hebbel-reception. In two chapters in particular, the
second and the third, it will show how interpretations which were to
become characteristic of National Socialist Hebbel-reception were being
propagated long before 1933. Nevertheless the National Socialists
standardised the picture of Hebbel as a Nordic dramatist who was
committed to heroic ideals, anti-Semitic, politically conservative and
anti-liberal. The ideal aim of the thesis is to "purify" Hebbel's
character, works and beliefs of their association with National
Socialist values. At the same time it will be shown how easily and at
times almost imperceptibly a writer's views can be altered to make them
consistent with those of the interpreter.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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