Focusing on the life and impact of Arthur Schnitzler, this biography delves into his role as a playwright and social critic, examining themes such as societal double standards, Jewish identity, and gender relations. Max Haberich offers a fresh perspective enriched by previously unknown materials, including an unused archive from Cambridge University and unpublished correspondence with Schnitzler's wife. This exploration reveals lesser-known facets of Schnitzler's life and work, highlighting his significance in literature and social commentary.
It is remarkable that to this day, no biography of Arthur Schnitzler concentrates on his social criticism. Thanks to the wealth of autobiographical material, it is possible to trace his position as an Austrian Jew both in his life and in his writing. As an individualist, Schnitzler distanced himself equally from Orthodoxy and Zionism, and yet conversion was never an option. This biography places Schnitzler's sense of cultural identity in its historical context, reading it against anti-Semitic incidents of the period. The second focus is on his critique of the double standards regarding women, which left men considerably more freedom. This kind of social criticism, found even in his early dramas, deserves more attention than it has received in scholarship so far. This biography revises the traditional image of the erotically-focused author. Previously unknown sources for the play „Professor Bernhardi“ and drafts of „Fink und Fliederbusch“ provide further evidence of Schnitzler’s social criticism. For additional biographical value, extracts from the unpublished correspondence with his wife Olga are included, casting light on their relationship, and offering her insights on the major intellectual figures of their time.
