Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In recent years, I have been most invigorated and energized by my acquaintance with some classic German literature, in the main Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann and, I will say, finding it more stimulating and engaging than most of the work by English writers that I have encountered in the same period.

This process has also brought me into contact with the world of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and I recently read his novel Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, which had been lurking unread on my Kindle for some little time.

I didn't weigh myself down by seeking to determine whether this was a novel of ideas, a philosophical novel, or a bildungsroman. I am in accord with those who have noted that it defies easy categorization.

Basically, the story follows the journey of the eponymous character, as he strives to escape a bourgeois career, and initially seeks to make a career as an actor. The tension between the bourgeois and the bohemian, the worldly and the spiritual, reminded me, superficially at least, of the works of Hermann Hesse.

Particularly to a modern reader, the story does not appear stunningly original, but it is so absorbing that this is largely immaterial. The characters discuss all manner of ideas encompassing art, literature, religion, politics, philosophy and human nature.  Wilhelm's interest in Hamlet and Shakespeare serves as a kind of peg for part of the way.

The discourse is given added authenticity because the novel was composed at the time when societal and cultural ferment was acute.  This is not some idealized, misty-eyed historical novel.  This sense of realism is accentuated by the fact that the ideas do not protrude forcefully from the narrative, but tend to blend quite seamlessly into the flow of the text.  I found this to be the case especially with the gentle commentary concerning the class structures of those times.

An intriguing aspect of this novel which recurs throughout is the scrutiny of the concepts of Fate and Destiny, as they were up against notions of reason and the idea of making one's own "luck". I related sharply to the parts of the story which stressed the value of falling back on something less exalted and fanciful, and of guarding against unrealistic aspirations in life.

Women play a prominent role throughout the story, especially assertive, educated females from affluent or intellectual backgrounds. I'm not sure whether Goethe was trying to make a point in this regard, but it does endow the novel with an added dimension, and was perhaps intended as subtle social commentary.

The opening chapters engender an immersive and stimulating atmosphere, and before long I found myself genuinely caring about many of the characters and their fortunes, and also identifying with their feelings and their dilemmas. Goethe does seem to have that facility to tug at the heart-strings, and it is displayed most pointedly in the passages which deal with Wilhelm's romantic and emotional entanglements and upheavals.  His alternating anguish and ebullience certainly struck a chord.

This is one of those novels which may reveal its true and full depth with repeated readings. The intricacies of the plot and the subtleties of the characterizations may thereby be more vividly illustrated. Importantly, it has some instructive things to say about how we should improve ourselves and enrich our lives, through activity and cultivating a curiosity about the outside world, rather than lingering in introspection.

Quite a long haul, this one, but a rewarding one, and I can readily see how it has been quite influential down the decades.

Italian Journey - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A little while ago, I purchased a compilation of some of the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In working my way through it, I read the fascinating Italian Journey, which is based on diaries and letters written by the author during his travels in Italy in the years 1786-88. It seems that it was subsequently fine-tuned and added to, and was not published until many years after the event(s).

Much of Italian Journey is taken up with Goethe’s observations about nature, climate, architecture, art ,and social mores. His scientific theorizing also gets a substantial airing, as does his keen interest in mineral deposits and volcanoes!

In addition to being an entertaining document of a learned man’s travels, Italian Journey may also be seen as a snapshot of a time in history. The regions being explored by Goethe may not all have been undergoing quite the pace of change being seen elsewhere, but he offers a window on how people lived and sustained themselves, and how, if at all,they were being affected by new ideas.

Goethe’s experiences are described in colourful and often humorous detail.  Although he strives to be tactful and constructive, he is occasionally quite blunt in his appraisal of places, people and cultural artefacts.  

I felt that the writings became livelier and more robust when he reached Naples and then Sicily.  Less equivocal, and perhaps a sense of perspective is enabled by memories of his other stop-off points.  An accumulation of sights, sounds, exchanges, encounters and experiences makes his opinions seem more coherent and pungent.  As the journey unfolds, he is not afraid of flouting cosy consensus or dispelling myth.  The passages on culture, landscape and topography are broken up with some amusing tangential tales concerning local characters and traditions.

Goethe does not shrink from hinting at his ambivalence about some religious practices and political and social institutions. Such verdicts are expressed cryptically, but equally leave the reader in little doubt where his sympathies lie.  He seems to judge people on what resides in their hearts and minds, and not on their nominal rank or title.  This is refreshing.

As I became more engrossed in this work, I increasingly wondered what a 21st century equivalent would look and feel like.  Yes, people do travel widely today, and they do write perceptively and enticingly about their thoughts and experiences, but the particular tenor of those times, and Goethe’s unusually wide range of interests and concerns, give his writings here genuine character, depth and novelty.  Extra interest stems from the imagery of “forward thinkers” being hemmed in by, and coping with, the restrictions imposed by those times.  Creative people, reconciling the past and present with a changing world and fresh attitudes.

A modern day variant of Italian Journey would probably involve one of the polymaths of our times embarking on some kind of train journey through those regions.  It would still be a good read, but is the world now simply too homogenized, clinical, automated and above all, small, to afford much in the way of romance, spontaneity or unpredictability? Or is it the case that deep down people have not really changed that much, just their surroundings, and the specific means by which they strive to achieve the same goals, deal with the same fears, and fall prey to the same weaknesses?  Have “advances” and “progress” made people’s lives “better” but less “interesting”?  (quotes added advisedly).

Even then, was it the habit of “intellectuals” to look patronizingly on the “little people”, and romanticize about their lifestyles and customs?  To my mind,  this  phenomenon still exists today, if not necessarily in Europe. Asserting that they were a happy, simple people, is a convenient way of avoiding asking some awkward questions.  Those people might actually have welcomed a little Northern European “sophistication” in their lives. The charm and diversity which outside observers gushed effusively about may have been small comfort to some of those on the ground.

Quite aside from any such ruminations, Italian Journey is an entertaining, engaging and thought-provoking read, and is well worth seeking out.