LFU:online

Competence of interpreting texts of contemporary literature

The writer and revolutionary Ernst Toller (1893-1939) is one of the paradigmatic figures in the literary field of the interwar period: As a member of the Munich Soviet Republic of 1919 he stands for the political activism of the expressionistic generation. Sentenced to five years of imprisonment he rises to one of the most popular playwrights in the Weimar Republic. With his works for radio, his interest in photography and film and with the staging of his famous drama "Hoppla, such is life!" by Erwin Piscator in 1927 Toller exposed himself as an important voice in the contemporary discourse of the so called "New Objectivity". By reason of his early and clear-sigthed warnings against the rise of Fascism and due to his Jewish ancestry Toller was forced to exile in 1933. A distinguished speaker against Hitler he died by suicide in 1939 in New York.

We will consider Toller's early poetry as well as his famous dramatic works and his later prose writings including political speaches, travel writings from Soviet Russia and the USA and some autobiographical texts.

Presentation, discussion

Participation at discussions, presentation, paper

Will be announced in the first lesson.

Bachelor of German Studies (2016) PM 10, 13

Bachelor UF Deutsch (2019) PM 5, 6 and 7