Images of Identity: Goethe and the Problem of Self-conception in the Nineteenth CenturyThe word «Bildung» - variously defined as «education» or «self-formation» - came into popular usage in western Europe through the terminological revolution of the late eighteenth century. No single individual was more influential in giving his own definition to this key word than was Goethe. Through an analysis of Goethe's use of the term in the Bildungsroman Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre, Goethe's autobiography, Dichtung und Wahrheit, and the much neglected text Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre, Sax shows how «Bildung» was more than a process of self-formation, for it included an understanding of the relation of the individual to society, to history, and through the interpretation of symbols, to a transcendent level of meaning as well. It is Sax's purpose to place Goethe's notion of «Bildung» within the context of the history of Western self-conceptions since the Renaissance. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 45
Page 59
... Lehrjahre . As with the picture of the sick prince , they will be formative elements throughout all of Meister's various amorous adventures . This theme of the mispreception of self and world is then again linked to the idea of fate ...
... Lehrjahre . As with the picture of the sick prince , they will be formative elements throughout all of Meister's various amorous adventures . This theme of the mispreception of self and world is then again linked to the idea of fate ...
Page 74
... Lehrjahre " [ Halle : Max Niemeyer , 1948 ] ) . Kurt May , in his important article , " Wilhelm Meisters Lahrjahre ... Lehrjahre , ' " ( Wien : Wilhem Braumüller , 1977 ) . I of course have emphasized that Bildung involves an education ...
... Lehrjahre " [ Halle : Max Niemeyer , 1948 ] ) . Kurt May , in his important article , " Wilhelm Meisters Lahrjahre ... Lehrjahre , ' " ( Wien : Wilhem Braumüller , 1977 ) . I of course have emphasized that Bildung involves an education ...
Page 124
... Lehrjahre . As with the Joseph story , however , this Bildung is not a break with what has gone before ; rather it mirrors and enhances through this mirroring what has been learned of Bildung in the Lehrjahre . Meister continues his ...
... Lehrjahre . As with the Joseph story , however , this Bildung is not a break with what has gone before ; rather it mirrors and enhances through this mirroring what has been learned of Bildung in the Lehrjahre . Meister continues his ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able acceptance achieved action active Anschauung appearances attempts beautiful become begins Bildung called comes complete comprehend condition continues creation creative criticism cultural definition desire Dichtung direct drama dream earlier enjoyment entire eternal existence experience expression eyes fate Faust feelings final forces fully gives Goethe Goethe's harmony Helena higher historical human idea ideal identity impressions individual infinite inner interpretation Italy knowledge language leads learned Lehrjahre limitations living longing meaning Meister move movement nature never novel object once organ original particular past perceive perception personality possess present problems provides pure question reality realize recognizes reflection relation remains revealed scene seems sense social society specific spiritual stage striving structure symbolic temporal things thought tradition true truth turn ultimate understanding unity universal various viewing vision Wanderjahre Werther whole Wilhelm young