Gottfried Keller
Gottfried Keller, born in Zurich in 1819, is a prominent Swiss author renowned for his contributions to poetic realism. Following the early death of his father, Keller initially trained as a landscape painter before turning to literature, motivated by his political interests. His writing career began with poetry, but after an unsuccessful attempt at drama, he shifted focus to novels and novellas, which are celebrated for their depth and insight into human nature. Keller's notable works include "The People of Seldwyla," a collection that vividly portrays the life and customs of an imaginary Swiss town. His writing often reflected patriotic themes and a belief in the positive aspects of humanity, infused with a sense of humor and tolerance. Keller's style is characterized by simplicity and sincerity, making him a beloved figure in Swiss literature. He passed away in Zurich on July 15, 1890, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in literary circles.
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Gottfried Keller
Swiss novelist and short-story writer
- Born: July 19, 1819
- Birthplace: Zurich, Switzerland
- Died: July 15, 1890
- Place of death: Zurich, Switzerland
Biography
Gottfried Keller, born in Zurich in 1819, is the outstanding Swiss writer of poetic realism. His father died when he was young, and he was first apprenticed to a landscape painter. However, as a result of his interest in politics he published some verses in 1846 which made possible a brief period of formal study at Heidelberg.
An abortive attempt at writing drama resulted in his turning to the novel and novella. Written in German, his novellas are still considered the best in that language. The People of Seldwyla, for example, is a collection of tales about an imaginary town in Switzerland, which describes accurately the people, customs, emotions, and tragedies typical of Swiss life. His first novel is an autobiographical work resembling Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister (1795) in its philosophical overtones. In his later novellas dealing with Zurich life Keller turned to patriotic motifs with religious overtones.
In all his writing Keller was a spokesman of democracy; he maintained an easy tolerance, a belief in the good in human nature, and a kindly humor. Although tolerant, he was not without strong convictions. In Martin Salander, an unfinished novel, Keller struck out at shallowness and political intrigue while affirming his faith in the stability and soundness of Swiss democracy. His style, in fiction and poetry, is simple, colorful, sincere, and heartwarming in its humanitarianism. He is considered the most beloved writer of Switzerland. He died in Zurich on July 15, 1890.
Bibliography
Bernd, Clifford A. German Poetic Realism. Boston: Twayne, 1981. Part of the World Authors series, this study looks at Keller in the context of nineteenth century German realism.
Buckley, Thomas. Nature, Science, Realism: A Re-examination of Programmatic Realism and the Works of Adalbert Stifter and Gottfried Keller. New York: P. Lang, 1995. Considers the role of science in Keller’s literary realism.
Flood, John L., and Martin Swales, eds. Gottfried Keller, 1819-1890: London Symposium, 1990. Stuttgart, Germany: Heinz, 1991. Contains eight excellent English articles, albeit with German quotations.
Hart, Gail K. “Gottfried Keller.” In Nineteenth Century German Writers, 1841-1900, edited by James Hardin and Siegfried Mews. Detroit: Gale Research, 1993. A good overview of Gottfried Keller’s life and works.
Holub, Robert C. Reflections of Realism. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1991. Using a Freudian approach, Holub writes a thought-provoking analysis of Keller’s novella “Romeo and Juliet in the Village.”
Lindsay, J. M. Gottfried Keller: Life and Works. Chester Springs, Pa.: Dufour, 1969. A detailed exposition.
Ruppel, Richard R. Gottfried Keller and His Critics: A Case Study in Scholarly Criticism. Columbia, S.C.: Camden House, 1998. A study of Keller’s critical reception.
Swales, Erika. The Poetics of Scepticism: Gottfried Keller and “Die Leute von Seldwyla.” Providence, R.I.: Berg, 1994. Focuses on the undercurrents and tensions that reveal Keller’s engagement with the social and psychological aspects of his time.