Fontane-Studien

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This work explores the cultural connections between Germany and England through the lens of Theodor Fontane's influence in British press from 1855 to 1899. It examines Fontane's interactions with contemporaries such as Albert Smith and Gordon Cumming, alongside Douglas Parmée's English translation of "Effi Briest." The reception of Fontane's work in Western Europe is analyzed, along with his reflections on fellow authors. Notable discussions include Fontane's reading of Karl Immermann’s "Münchhausen," his 1860 lecture on Longfellow in Berlin, and his translation of Tennyson’s "The Charge of the Light Brigade." The text also delves into Fontane's theatre criticism and literary reception, as well as thematic explorations in his novels and poetry, such as the symbolism of the moon and stars. The inadequacy of traditional female roles in Fontane's works is critically assessed, particularly in "Unwiederbringlich." Additional translations, including T. Edmund Harvey’s version of "Herr Ribbeck von Ribbeck auf Havelland," are highlighted. The study further compares urban and provincial themes in Fontane's writing with those of Joseph Roth, addressing topics like violence in urban settings and the complexities of female agency in the context of mobility and infidelity in both Fontane's and Ebner-Eschenbach's narratives.