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German Literature in Exile

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German Literature in Exile University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Papers from the University Studies series (The University of Nebraska) University Studies of the University of Nebraska 8-1957 German Literature In Exile W.M. K. Pfeiler Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/univstudiespapers Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Studies of the University of Nebraska at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers from the University Studies series (The University of Nebraska) by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. ~ t" I IV :R ~ 1l 1Y PF N I {;I3 ~ ; ~ IB I< A R Y qc e3 l~ i 5'i 1-- ~ RI ~ I V~ ERMAN LITERATURE ~: { IN EXILE I~p~ new serIes no. 16 University of Nebraska Studies august 1957 GERMAN LITERATURE IN EXILE The Concern of the Poets WM. K. PFEILER university of nebraska studies : new series no. 16 published by the university at lincoln : august 1957 The University of Nebraska Senate Committee on Publication of University Studies A. L. BENNETI HAROLD E. WISE, chairman MARSHALL JONES CHARLES COLMAN JAMES E. MILLER, JR. MERKHOBSON STANLEY VANDERSALL FRANK A. LUNDY &ard of University Publications K.O.BROADY F. A. LUNDY, chairman F. W. HOOVER EMILY SCHOSSBERGER, secretary RALSTON GRAHAM G. S. ROUND CHARLES S. MILLER JAMES LAKE Copyright 1957 by The University of Nebraska Printed in the United States by the University 01 Nebraska Printing Division MEINER UEBEN FRAU MILDRED THE BOARD OF REGENTS J. G. ELUOTr CLARENCE E. SWANSON FRANK FOOTE CHARLES Y. THOMPSON B. N. GREENBERG, M.D. J. LEROY WELSH JOHN KENT SELLECK Foreword The present monograph is the first of several of my studies dealing with the German literature that originated in exile since 1933. By calling it "German Literature in Exile" it is kept in mind that it is not a homogeneous literary entity but a part, although an important one, of the whole of German Literature, of which the Austrian and Swiss Literatures are essential components with individual characteris­ tics. The designation used is basically a Formalkategorie for reasons of necessary reference. There are, however, traits of distinction: a militant humanism and a preoccupation with problems peculiar to the existence in exile. The study also deals with the question whether any writing dealing with the "problems of the day" deserves considera­ tion as serious literature. The survey of the poetry written in exile tries to give an exposition of the basic concern of the writers expelled from Germany. Nostalgia and determination to fight back and to adjust to the new environment mark many of the lyrics; resignation and Weltschmerz were present, but the dominant note was a vigorous militancy against the national­ socialist rule at home and "fascism" everywhere. For a large part the poetry was Kamplpoesie. "Private lyrics" were found seldom; experi­ mental and abstract-symbolic poetry was practically absent. The selection of poets does not necessarily constitute a judgment of value or a ranking of the writers. Relevancy to the theme and actuality of expression were primary reasons for the choice, as was the availability of the material. The ideal way would have been to give the poems chosen in their entirety, an impossibility, to be sure. v A mere summary would have failed to convey the originality and , special character of the poem. As a compromise I decided to cite original lines within the analyzing text, a way out of a dilemma even though perhaps a poor one. I trust that this method nevertheless affords a reliable view of the "poetic landscape" in exile. A full picture can only become available when detailed investigations follow up this more general survey. My project was made possible by work in the New York Public Library, in the Library of Congress, in the Wiener Library in London and in other locations in Europe. The studies could not have been carried out without a Summer Research Fellowship, The Woods Fellowship, and Grants given by the Research Council of the Univer­ sityof Nebraska under its then chairman Dr. R. W. Goss, former Dean of the Graduate College. The appreciation I here express is but a feeble indication of the indebtedness I feel for the generous help given tome. There are many who gave assistance and whose help was essential. I thank them cordially. I have carefully referred to every source that has been of help. To the scholars and authorities who favored me with their counsel by correspondence and in personal conferences I extend my respectful and affectionate gratitude. I cannot conclude these prefatory remarks without mentioning the assistance rendered by the staff of the Library of the University of Nebraska. Realizing the magnitude of their service to me, I can but say: Herzlichen Dankl to Frank Lundy, B. Kreisman, E. M. John­ son, R. H. DeWitt, Charles Miller, Miss M. Taylor and many others. Sincere thanks are also due to the University editor, Miss Emily Schoss­ berger and the staff of the University of Nebraska Press for indis­ pensable counsel and invaluable help. University of Nebraska, Lincoln W.K.P. February, 1957 vi Table 0/ Contents Foreword .......................................................................................... v German Literature Outside the Third Reich........................................ 1 The Writer in Exile and His Function.................................................. 25 The Concern of the Poets ........................................................................ 61 Notes ......................................................................................................... 117 Bibliography ........... ........................................................................ 131 Index of Names ......... ........................................................................ 139 PART! German Literature Outside The Third Reich Coelum non animum mutant qui transmare currunt. Horace, Epist. 1 HE unprecedented political upheaval following Hitler's assump­ tion of power, specifically after the Reichstag fire in February, T 1933, manifested itself to Germany's neighbors dramatically by the early exodus of tens of thousands of people who, for "racial" reasons or political nonconformity, thought it wise to leave the realm of the Third Reich, where freedom and lives were endangered. The steady flow of fugitives never stopped; they were called emigrants or emigres if their goal was permanent settlement abroad and if "legal" sanction for going abroad was given by the Nazi authorities; refugees or exiles, if their ultimate hope was a return to the fatherland after the restoration of a German Rechtsstaat. For both types the term exile came into common use.1 The flight reached its peak after the annexa­ tion of Austria and the pogroms of November, 1938. Despite the misery and wretchedness awaiting the large majority of exiles-only comparatively few individuals were able to transfer substantial values to the lands of their refuge-they were fortunate when one considers the fate of those who by choice or necessity stayed behind and who later had to die by untold numbers in the process of planned ex­ termination. At first, only Germany's neighboring countries were "invaded" by the stream of fugitives; later practically no part of the globe failed to get its share of the victims of Nazi persecution. Between 1933 and 1941 perhaps from 450,000 to half a million people left Germany and Austria, an exit still being possible then, and of these about twenty percent fled, not for racial but definitely for political reasons. The 3 4 I German Literature in Exile great majority of the refugees were of Jewish origin; about eight to ten percent of the total number were not. In this mass flight from Germany, the intellectuals of various pro­ fessions constituted a historically unprecedented high percentage in the host of expatriates_ As to the representatives of literature, never before in history had the elite of the cultural life of a nation departed on such a scale_ It left the homeland almost depleted of its inter­ nationally recognized cultural stock_ To the world it looked as if a whole literary generation had withdrawn almost in a body_ Hardly any writers of world-wide reputation were left_2 Although handi­ capped in their profession more than expelled people in any other occupation-for their tools were the words of their native tongue in an environment alien in language, tradition and custom and often bitterly hostile-many exiled writers persisted in their work with such a tenacious devotion and remarkable success that it would elicit uni­ versal admiration if the world knew of it_ Even in the Germany of today, which vigorously endeavors to make good the past and to catch up with the twelve long years lost, the knowledge of this so-called Emigrantenliteratur is spotty, often superficial and vitiated by emo­ tionally rooted prejudices.3 An immense German literature came into being abroad, regrettably unilbersehbar now because of the failure to create biographic and bibliographic centers that could have recorded systematically the names of exiled German authors and their works. It has become almost impossible to obtain a complete bibliography of the German literature created abroad in the years of Nazi rule, a job nevertheless now under­ taken by W_ Sternfeld in London under the sponsorship of the Deutsche Bibliothek and its director, Hanns W.
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