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 36
Page 63
... truth , the truth of his images , Meister does value a side of his personality that draws him to the calling of a poet . Although the images of Mariane have led to debilitating consequences and although these images in themselves have ...
... truth , the truth of his images , Meister does value a side of his personality that draws him to the calling of a poet . Although the images of Mariane have led to debilitating consequences and although these images in themselves have ...
Page 111
... truth of his life . Goethe the essence of human existence . These words themselves captured for They expressed the truth of all As Goethe recalls individuals as well as of a man , who as a poet of reality , " knows how to take to the ...
... truth of his life . Goethe the essence of human existence . These words themselves captured for They expressed the truth of all As Goethe recalls individuals as well as of a man , who as a poet of reality , " knows how to take to the ...
Page 225
... truth to reality by exhibiting its phenomenal nature . As mere images , as the most contingent and limited experience we have , they display the human condition in its extreme condition . They show all non - dream reality to be a world ...
... truth to reality by exhibiting its phenomenal nature . As mere images , as the most contingent and limited experience we have , they display the human condition in its extreme condition . They show all non - dream reality to be a world ...
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