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 27
Page 204
... acceptance of Dasein as a duty not only overcomes the problem31 of the infinite and the finite but also reconciles the eternal with time . The acceptance of the Augenblick as part of the duty of Dasein comes from a man who has shunned ...
... acceptance of Dasein as a duty not only overcomes the problem31 of the infinite and the finite but also reconciles the eternal with time . The acceptance of the Augenblick as part of the duty of Dasein comes from a man who has shunned ...
Page 216
... acceptance of conditions , however , does not lead to mere resignation . This acceptance opens the self and the world as the place for human education , the location for a genuine Bildung . The lack of a complete identity is in itself ...
... acceptance of conditions , however , does not lead to mere resignation . This acceptance opens the self and the world as the place for human education , the location for a genuine Bildung . The lack of a complete identity is in itself ...
Page 217
... acceptance goes hand in hand with his acceptance of the world and its limitations . In accepting his circumstances and its conditions , Faust comes to a new understanding of the place of man within the universe . Accepting them he ...
... acceptance goes hand in hand with his acceptance of the world and its limitations . In accepting his circumstances and its conditions , Faust comes to a new understanding of the place of man within the universe . Accepting them he ...
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