Joseph von Eichendorff
Joseph von Eichendorff (1788–1857) was a significant figure in German Romantic literature, renowned for his embodiment of the Romantic spirit that resonates deeply with many Germans. Born into an aristocratic family in the castle of Lubowitz, Eichendorff's idyllic childhood served as a foundation for his literary creations, which frequently explored themes of nature, folklore, and the experiences of ordinary people. His academic journey at the universities of Halle and Heidelberg reinforced his Romantic inclinations, particularly through his associations with prominent figures like Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano.
Eichendorff's life was marked by historical turmoil, including his involvement in the resistance against Napoleon and service in the Prussian Corps Luetzow. Throughout his life, he remained a devout Catholic, a belief that sustained him through personal tragedies, including the early death of his daughter. Although writing was his passion, he had to navigate a career in the ministry for cultural affairs, which he ultimately left due to conflicts with government policies. Eichendorff's legacy endures not only in his literary works but also in his philosophy that embraces life's complexities, suggesting that even grief contributes to a greater understanding of existence. His final years were spent in Neisse, where he passed away in the same year as his wife, with both their graves now lying beyond contemporary German borders due to the changes wrought by World War II.
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Joseph von Eichendorff
German historian
- Born: March 10, 1788
- Birthplace: Near Ratibor, Silesia (now Racibórz, Poland)
- Died: November 26, 1857
- Place of death: Neisse, Silesia (now Nysa, Poland)
Biography
Romanticism has probably been the most enduring literary trend in German history, and without any doubt Joseph von Eichendorff (I-kuhn-dahrf) is one of the reasons that for a great number of Germans, Romanticism is still the most meaningful literature. Eichendorff, the “happy wanderer” who declares that everything is right in this world if only we will learn that even grief is part of something greater than ourselves, was born in 1788 in the well-sheltered castle of his parents at Lubowitz. He came from an old aristocratic family; one critic named him the “last knight of knights.” In his writings he identifies himself with the experiences of ordinary people and makes frequent use of folklore.
His happy childhood at the castle became the reservoir for all his Romantic outpourings until the very end. When the Napoleonic wars endangered the castle, his parents decided to send him to the faraway universities at Halle and Heidelberg. In Heidelberg his inclinations toward Romanticism were strengthened when he met the two writers Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano, who achieved fame with their collection of purported old German folk songs, Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1805; the boy’s magic horn). He also met Joseph Görres, a fellow Romanticist and the literary leader of German Catholicism. Eichendorff, an unwavering Catholic throughout his life, was influenced by Görres’s enthusiasm for revolution and became a member of the resistance movement that was formed against Napoleon. In 1813 he enlisted in the much glorified Prussian Corps Luetzow, but he was spared the experience of battle.
In 1814 he married Luise von Larisch, the daughter of a country squire. When Napoleon returned from Elba, Eichendorff once again joined the army, but the defeat at Waterloo kept him from reaching the firing line. The aftermath of the war made it impossible for him to return to his childhood paradise in Silesia.
In spite of the fact that writing was still his primary interest, for financial reasons he accepted a position in the ministry for cultural and educational affairs. In 1844 he resigned when he realized that his uncompromising Catholic attitude was in conflict with the government policies of rejecting church influence in public life. Having more time for writing and travel, he compiled a history of literature.
Eichendorff’s marriage was a happy one. He had two sons and one daughter. His beloved daughter’s death at an early age was the only real tragedy of his life. His strong belief that even the early death of his child must be part of God’s plan made it possible for him to overcome this emotional crisis. In 1855 he retired to the country home of his son-in-law in Neisse. His wife died early in 1857; he died later that same year. As a consequence of World War II, his grave in Neisse is now located outside the German boundaries, as is his beloved castle, Lubowitz.
Bibliography
Goebel, Robert Owen. Eichendorff’s Scholarly Reception: A Survey. Columbia, S.C.: Camden House, 1993. A critical study of Eichendorff’s work and the German academic culture of his time. Includes bibliographical references and an index.
Lukács, Georg. German Realists in the Nineteenth Century. Translated by Jeremy Gaines and Paul Keast. Edited by Rodney Livingstone. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1993. Seven essays on major nineteenth century figures in German literature, including Eichendorff, concerning the role of literature in history, society, and politics.
Purver, Judith. Hindeutung auf das Höhere: A Structural Study of the Novels of Joseph von Eichendorff. New York: P. Lang, 1989. In this comprehensive study of Eichendorff’s novels in English Purver argues that the theological and didactic intentions in Eichendorff’s work are vitally important.
Radner, Lawrence. Eichendorff: The Spiritual Geometer. Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University Studies, 1970. Radner provides a comprehensive critical interpretation of Eichendorff’s works.
Schwarz, Egon. Joseph von Eichendorff. New York: Twayne, 1972. A short biography with a bibliography of Eichendorff’s work.