An analysis of the short stories by Ludwig Tieck and Friedrich Hebbel, with special reference to style and structure

Abstract

After a brief introduction dealing with the development of the short story in general and later turning to the conditions existing in Germany before Tieck, the first part of the thesis analysed the tales of Tieck showing how in this author's work the dramatic elements of the plot as well as of the character portrayal steadily increase, a fact which may be explained by the peculiar talent Tor imitation which is such an outstanding quality in the character of Tieck himself. The second part of the work treats Rebbel's short stories in a manner corresponding to that employed in the ease of Tieck. In Hebbel's tales the dramatic element enters the story much earlier in the author's career than in the case of Tieck owing to the external circumstances which influence the first years of Tieck's literary activities. Hebbel's natural instinct and leaning towards drama prompt him to imitate the dramatic features he found in Tieck's short stories, till he eventually turns to the production of drama proper. Thus, in the case of Hebbel the short stories represent studies to drama. If looked upon as a whole, the tales of both authors form a consecutive line of development leading from the "Novelle" to drama, and showing the close connection existing between these two branches of literature.