INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE
by Adelbert von Chamisso · from Peter Schlemihl
Adapted Version
Dear friend, I have something special to tell you. I remember Peter. You remember Peter too. He came to my house sometimes. He was a tall boy. He looked a little sleepy. I liked him very much. You know Peter. We had fun a long time ago. Peter was part of our fun.
Peter was a bit clumsy. He wore an old black coat. You saw him in it. You said funny things about his coat. You did not think much of Peter. His coat was very old. You thought Peter was lazy. You said he was not smart. He always wore that coat. But I liked him very much.
I liked Peter. I always liked him. He was my friend. I did not see him for many years. He went away. I missed him. I wondered where he was. He was a good person. I thought so. My feelings for Peter were strong. I never forgot him.
Now I have a little book. It has many pages. These pages are special. I think Peter sent them to me. It is a story. It is Peter's story. I just got it this morning. This book is for us. It is a gift.
I want to share this book. I will share it with you. You are my best friend. I will share it with our friend too. He is also my best friend. Only we three will know. This story is just for us. We are special friends. I trust you both very much.
This story is a secret. Peter wants us to keep it safe. We must not tell everyone. It is not for many people. Peter trusts me. He trusts us all. We must be good friends. We will keep his secret. It is very important.
A strange old man brought the papers. He came early today. He had a long grey beard. He wore an old black coat. He had slippers on his boots. He came from far away. He came from Berlin. He gave the papers to me.
Original Story
INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE
FROM
A. VON CHAMISSO TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG.
You, who forget nobody, must surely remember one Peter Schlemihl, whom you used to meet occasionally at my house—a long-legged youth, who was considered stupid and lazy, on account of his awkward and careless air. I was sincerely attached to him. You cannot have forgotten him, Edward. He was on one occasion the hero of our rhymes, in the hey-day of our youthful spirits; and I recollect taking him one evening to a poetical tea-party, where he fell asleep while I was writing, without even waiting to hear my effusion: and this reminds me of a witticism of yours respecting him. You had already seen him, I know not where or when, in an old black frock-coat, which, indeed, he constantly wore; and you said, “He would be a lucky fellow if his soul were half as immortal as his coat,” so little opinion had you of him. I loved him, however: and to this very Schlemihl, of whom for many years I had wholly lost sight, I am indebted for the little volume which I communicate to you, Edward, my most intimate friend, my second self, from whom I have no secrets;—to you, and of course our Fouqué, I commit them, who like you is intimately entwined about my dearest affections,—to him I communicate them only as a friend, but not as a poet; for you can easily imagine how unpleasant it would be if a secret confided to me by an honest man, relying implicitly on my friendship and honour, were to be exposed to the public in a poem.
One word more as to the manner in which I obtained these sheets: yesterday morning early, as soon as I was up, they were brought to me. An extraordinary-looking man, with a long grey beard, and wearing an old black frock-coat with a botanical case hanging at his side, and slippers over his boots, in the damp, rainy weather, had just been inquiring for me, and left me these papers, saying he came from Berlin.
Adelbert von Chamisso.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Chamisso writes to his friend Hitzig, reminiscing about Peter Schlemihl, an awkward youth they both knew, though Hitzig held a low opinion of him. Chamisso reveals he has received a mysterious package of papers, which he believes are from Schlemihl, delivered by an extraordinary old man. He confides in Hitzig and their mutual friend Fouqué, emphasizing the importance of keeping the contents of these papers secret due to the trust placed in him, thus setting the stage for the main story.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to intrigue
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This epistle serves as a preface to Chamisso's famous novella, 'Peter Schlemihl's Miraculous Story,' published in 1814. It grounds the fantastical tale in a personal, seemingly real-world context for the reader.
Plot Beats (7)
- Chamisso begins an epistle to his friend Hitzig, recalling their acquaintance, Peter Schlemihl.
- He reminds Hitzig of Schlemihl's awkward appearance and Hitzig's dismissive opinion of him.
- Chamisso contrasts Hitzig's view with his own affection for Schlemihl, whom he hasn't seen in years.
- He reveals that he has received a small volume of papers, which he attributes to Schlemihl.
- Chamisso states his intention to share these papers only with Hitzig and Fouqué, his closest friends.
- He explicitly warns against exposing the secret contents of the papers to the public, respecting Schlemihl's trust.
- Chamisso describes the arrival of the papers: an extraordinary old man with a long grey beard, wearing an old black frock-coat and slippers over his boots, delivered them, claiming to be from Berlin.
Characters
Peter Schlemihl ★ protagonist
A long-legged youth with an awkward and careless air. He is described as having a lanky build.
Attire: Constantly wears an old, black frock-coat. This suggests a worn, perhaps threadbare, garment typical of a student or struggling intellectual of the early 19th century German middle class, likely made of wool.
Wants: Not explicitly stated in this introductory epistle, but implied to be the subject of the 'little volume' he provides.
Flaw: His awkwardness and perceived laziness, which lead others to underestimate him.
Implied to be the subject of a significant personal transformation or adventure, detailed in the 'little volume' he delivers.
Considered stupid and lazy by others, but the narrator implies a deeper, perhaps misunderstood, nature. He is prone to falling asleep at inconvenient times.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young, lanky man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a somewhat awkward posture. He wears a worn, black wool frock-coat, likely with some signs of age, over simple trousers and shoes. His expression is somewhat unassuming and perhaps a little tired. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Adelbert von Chamisso ◆ supporting
Not explicitly described, but as the author of the epistle, he is a man of letters.
Attire: Not described, but as a German poet and botanist of the early 19th century, he would likely wear respectable, educated attire of the period, such as a dark coat, waistcoat, and cravat.
Wants: To share a significant secret with his closest friends while protecting the confidence of Peter Schlemihl.
Flaw: His strong sense of loyalty and discretion could make him overly cautious.
Acts as the conduit for Peter Schlemihl's story, demonstrating his role as a trusted confidant.
Loyal, affectionate, discreet, and a sincere friend. He values friendship and honor highly.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of the early 19th century standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a thoughtful and earnest expression. He wears a dark, tailored wool coat, a light waistcoat, and a neatly tied cravat. He holds a quill pen in one hand and a stack of paper sheets in the other. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Julius Edward Hitzig ◆ supporting
Not explicitly described, but known to Chamisso as a long-time friend.
Attire: Not described, but as a contemporary and friend of Chamisso, he would wear similar educated attire of the early 19th century German middle class.
Wants: To receive and understand the story of Peter Schlemihl from his friend Chamisso.
Flaw: His initial low opinion of Peter Schlemihl.
Receives the story of Peter Schlemihl, acting as the primary audience for the epistle.
Observant, witty, and possesses a good memory ('You, who forget nobody'). He is also somewhat critical or skeptical, as shown by his witticism about Schlemihl's coat.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of the early 19th century standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has an intelligent and slightly skeptical expression, perhaps with a hint of a smirk. He wears a dark, well-tailored wool coat, a patterned waistcoat, and a high-collared cravat. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Fouqué ○ minor
Not described.
Attire: Not described, but as a contemporary and friend of Chamisso, he would wear similar educated attire of the early 19th century German middle class.
Wants: To receive the story of Peter Schlemihl as a friend.
Flaw: Not applicable; his role is minor.
Receives the story of Peter Schlemihl as a trusted friend.
Intimately entwined about Chamisso's dearest affections, suggesting a kind and supportive nature.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of the early 19th century standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a kind and friendly expression. He wears a dark, respectable wool coat, a simple waistcoat, and a cravat. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Extraordinary-looking man ○ minor
An extraordinary-looking man.
Attire: Wears an old black frock-coat, similar to Peter Schlemihl's, and slippers over his boots, even in damp, rainy weather. He also has a botanical case hanging at his side. This suggests a somewhat eccentric and practical, yet perhaps disheveled, appearance.
Wants: To deliver Peter Schlemihl's papers to Chamisso.
Flaw: Not applicable; his role is minor.
Serves as the catalyst for Chamisso receiving Schlemihl's story.
Mysterious and direct, delivering the papers without much fanfare.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a very long, flowing grey beard and a somewhat unusual, perhaps slightly disheveled, appearance. He wears an old, dark wool frock-coat, and notably, slippers over his boots. A botanical case hangs at his side. He holds a stack of papers in his hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Chamisso's House
The personal residence of A. von Chamisso, likely a modest, comfortable dwelling typical of a German intellectual or poet of the early 19th century. It would feature simple, functional furniture, perhaps a writing desk, and shelves filled with books. The atmosphere is one of quiet friendship and intellectual exchange.
Mood: Warm, intimate, intellectual, reminiscent of past gatherings.
The setting for past meetings between Chamisso, Hitzig, and Peter Schlemihl; also where Chamisso receives Schlemihl's manuscript.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cozy, book-lined study in a 19th-century German house. Warm, diffused light from a tall window illuminates a heavy wooden writing desk covered with inkwells, quills, and stacks of paper. A comfortable armchair sits beside a stone fireplace, and tall, dark wooden bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes line the walls. The air is still and contemplative. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Chamisso's Doorstep (Morning Delivery)
The entrance to Chamisso's house, likely a wooden door with a small stoop or steps, exposed to the elements. The weather is damp and rainy, suggesting a typical cool, overcast morning in Germany. The scene is brief but memorable due to the unusual visitor.
Mood: Mysterious, slightly unsettling due to the strange visitor and weather.
An 'extraordinary-looking man' delivers Peter Schlemihl's manuscript to Chamisso.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rain-slicked wooden front door of a 19th-century German house, with a small stone stoop. Overcast, grey morning light filters through a damp, misty atmosphere, reflecting in puddles on the cobblestone path leading up to the door. Water drips from the eaves of the house. The scene is quiet and slightly melancholic. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
