
Goethe's Modernisms
Astrida Orle Tantillo(Author)
Continuum Publishing Corporation
Published on 1. May 2010
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-4411-8832-8 (ISBN)
Description
These are pathbreaking works which draws out Goethe's pivotal influence on the development of Western society. "Goethe's Modernisms" demonstrates Goethe's pivotal influence on the development of Western society. It also reveals him to be one of modernity's profoundest critics. His influence has not only shaped aesthetic issues, but a myriad of cultural and intellectual ones as well. By studying his works, we can thus gain insights into the foundational principles of modern society and its shortcomings. Tantillo explores Goethe's role within the culture wars that have been with us for some time, his role as a both a progenitor and a critic of modernity, and suggests how we might rethink aspects of our current policies, whether educational or fiscal. Each chapter presents an interpretation of literary texts and then demonstrates their relationship to a contemporary issue: the ascendancy of science and technology and their close connection to new economic theories (Faust); the cultural success of religious evangelicalism and its consequences (The Sorrows of Young Werther); and, the ramifications of progressive, student-centered education (the Wilhelm Meisternovels).
Each chapter further places these issues within the context of conservative and liberal philosophies.
Each chapter further places these issues within the context of conservative and liberal philosophies.
Reviews / Votes
"In Goethe's Modernisms Astrida Tantillo offers a model of what literary scholarship should be: a challenging reinterpretation that fully situates Goethe in his historical circumstances while showing how he speaks eloquently to our present age of secular individualism." Professor Gerald Graff, Professor of Literature and Education, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
474 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-8832-8 (9781441188328)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Astrida Orle Tantillo is Visiting Associate Dean for Literatures, Cultural Studies, and Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA, and President of the Goethe Society of North America. She is the author of The Will to Create: Goethe's Philosophy of Nature and Goethe's Elective Affinities and the Critics.
Content
Abbreviations and Goethe Editions; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Goethe's Dynamic Philosophy: The Principle of Compensation Standards, Values and Contemporary Politics: Aristotle and Rousseau Reading Goethe for Today; Chapter One: Faust, Capitalism, and Technology; Dynamic Perspectives and Faust, Faust as a Tragedy; Faust's Loss of Soul; Projected Modernisms; Religion in a Capitalist World; Beauty and the New Economy; Chapter Two: Werther the Evangelical; Part I: The Sorrows of Young Werther; Part II: The Legacy of the Novel; Chapter Three: Wilhelm Meister and Progressive Education; Part I: Context and Contemporary Overview; Part II: Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship; Part III: The Student-Centered and Teacher-Centered Classrooms; Part IV: Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years: Hybrid Model of Education; Conclusion; Works Cited.