German Writers

1. German Writers Click Here to Begin Miss Wardell Level 1 German Grades 9-12

2. Click on an author to begin Friedrich Schiller Martin Luther Heinrich Heine Grimm Brothers Johann Goethe Heinrich Böll Thomas Mann Bertolt Brecht Karl Marx Günter Grass Hermann Hesse Review Question

3. Heinrich Theodor Böll • Born Dec. 21, 1917in Cologne • Died Jul. 16, 1985 • First novel: “ The Train Was on Time” (1949) • His works are nicknamed “Trümmerliteratur” • Literature of the Rubble (referring to post WWII) • Received Awards: • Nobel Prize for Literature • Georg Büchner Prize • Popular Works: • Billiards at half-past Nine • The Clown • Group Portrait with Lady • The Safety Net Return to Author Menu

4. Eugen Bertolt Friedrich Brecht • Born Feb. 10, 1898 in Augsberg, Bavaria • Died Aug. 14, 1956 • Started as a newspaper journalist then became a playwright • First play: Baal (1918) • First produced play: “Drums in the Night” • Received Award: • Kleist Prize • Popular Works • The Threepenny Opera • Life of Galileo • Mother Courage and Her Children • The Good Person of Szechwan • The Caucasion Chalk Circle • The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Return to Author Menu

5. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe • Born Aug. 28, 1749 in Frankfurt • Died Mar. 22, 1832 • He originally went to law school • Became a poet, novelist, and playwright • Also wrote scientific pieces • Popular Works: • Faust • The Sorrows of Young Werther • Ein Briefroman or novel written of letters • Wilhelm Meisters Apprenticeship • Theory of Colors • West-East Divan Return to Author Menu

6. Günter Grass • Born Oct. 16, 1927 in Danzig • Well known for first book, “The Tin Drum” • Wrote the well known, “Danzig Triology” • Was a Prisoner of War in WWII after being wounded • Received Awards: • Georg Büchner Prize • Nobel Prize for Literature • Popular Works • Cat and Mouse • Dog Years • Crabwalk Return to Author Menu

7. Grimm Brothers • Jacob (Jan. 4, 1785 - Sept. 20, 1863) • Wilhelm (Feb. 24, 1786 – Dec. 16, 1859) • Well known for their collection of Fairy Tales, a byproduct of linguistic research (collected from towns people) • Lived together for the majority of their lives • Popular Works • German Dictionary • Fairy Tales • Rapunzel • Hänsel und Gretel • Cinderella • Little Red Riding Hood • Snow White • Rumpelstilzchen • The Princess and the Pea Return to Author Menu

8. Heinrich Heine • Born Dec. 13, 1797 in Düsseldorf • Died Feb. 17, 1856 • Wrote “Book of Songs” which German composers put to music • Used the same publisher throughout career – Julius Campe • Also was an editor for “Politische Annalen” magazine • Popular works • Travel Pictures • Atta Troll • Romanzero • Germany: A Winter’s Tale Return to Author Menu

9. Hermann Hesse • Born Jul. 2 1877 in Calw • Died Aug. 9, 1962 • Wrote a poem entitled, “Madonna” • Published a poetry book entitled, “One Hour After Midnight” • Received Award: • Nobel Prize for Literature • Popular Works • The Glass Bead Game • Demian • Steppenwolf • Siddhartha Return to Author Menu

10. Martin Luther • Born Nov. 10, 1483 in Eisleben • Died Feb. 18, 1546 • Started the Protestant Reformation • Translated the Bible into German, so the commoners could read it • Also wrote “95 Theses” which instigated the reformation • Believed that sin forgiveness couldn’t be purchased • Luther also wrote hymns • A Mighty Fortress Is Our God • We All Believe In One True God Return to Author Menu

11. Thomas Mann • Born Jun. 6, 1875 in Lübeck • Died Aug. 12, 1955 • His brother, Heinrich, was also a writer • First Story, “Little Mr. Friedemann,” was published in 1898 • Received Award: • Nobel Prize for Literature • Popular Works • Buddenbrooks • The Magic Mountain • Death in Venice • He taught at Princeton University while living in USA during WWII Return to Author Menu

12. Karl marx • Born May 5, 1818 • Died Mar. 14, 1883 • Was a Philosopher • Developed theory of Marxism • Wrote a novel, “Scorpion and Felix” • Writing was enjoyable • Wrote: • Communist Manifesto • Capital: Critique of Political Economy • Published as a series in a London Newspaper that is written in German Return to Author Menu

13. Friedrich schiller • Born Nov. 10, 1759 • Died May 9, 1805 • Friend of Johann Goethe • Considered one of the most influential writers in Germany • Wrote plays, poetry, and history • Popular Works • The Robbers • Intrigue and Love • Don Carlos • Wilhelm Tell • The Revolt of the Netherlands • Ode to Joy • Beethoven later composed music to match the lyrics Return to Author Menu

14. Review question • Click on the correct answer! • Which of the following authors wrote Fairy Tales that are also common in English? • Grimm Brothers • Martin Luther • Günter Grass

15. Grimm Brothers • Correct! • The Grimm Brothers collected several stories from Germans all over Germany and wrote them down as linguistic research. They became very popular all of Europe, and the rest of the world. Common tales that we know today are: • Cinderella Rapunzel • Rumpelstiltskin Snow White • Red Riding Hood Hänsel and Gretel • The Princess and the Pea Continue

16. Martin Luther • While Martin Luther translated the Bible into a common language, which at the time was German, and allowed it to be translated into English, the Bible is not considered a collection of Fairy Tales. • Go Back and Try Again. Return to Review Question

17. Günter grass • While the titles of Grass’ stories may sound like Fairy Tales, and you may have even have read or listened to them as a child, they actually are not Fairy Tales. • Go Back and Try Again Return to Review Question

18. Congratulations! You have completed this lesson on German Writers. This is a picture of the “Statue of Modern Book Printing” in Berlin. It is aTribute to Johann Gutenberg, inventor of moveable typeset printing press. This statue is one of several on the “Walk of Ideas” in Berlin. Please Click On The Picture To Return To Main Screen For The Next Student.