To Fouqué, from Hitzig
by Adelbert von Chamisso · from Peter Schlemihl
Adapted Version
Once there was a young man named Peter. He did not have much money. But he was kind. He went to a big party. Many people laughed. Peter saw a strange man. The man wore a grey coat. He was very quiet. This was The Grey Man. He watched Peter.
The Grey Man came to Peter. "Want a magic money bag?" he asked. "Always gold coins inside." Peter wanted money. "Give me your shadow," The Grey Man said. Peter thought. He looked at his shadow. It was just dark on the ground. Peter said, "Yes." He gave his shadow away. He took the magic money bag.
Peter had much money now. He bought nice clothes. He bought good food. He bought a big house. But people looked at him. They pointed at his feet. "He has no shadow!" they said. Children ran from him. Grown-ups moved away. Peter felt very sad. He did not understand.
Peter had no friends. No one wanted to play. No one wanted to talk. They all saw his missing shadow. Peter was always alone. He sat by himself. He felt very lonely. He had money. But he had no friends. He missed his shadow.
One day, The Grey Man came back. "I can give your shadow," he said. Peter felt happy. "Be my helper always," The Grey Man said. "You must always stay with me." Peter thought. He wanted his shadow. But he wanted to be free. "No!" Peter said loudly. "I will not be your helper!"
Peter looked at his magic money bag. It gave him money. But it made him sad. He was not free. He threw the bag far away. He did not want money now. He wanted to be free. He wanted to be happy.
Peter found some magic boots. They were very big boots. He put them on. The boots helped him walk. He could walk very far. He could walk very fast. Peter could explore the world.
Peter walked to many places. He saw tall trees. He saw small flowers. He saw big animals. He saw tiny bugs. He learned about nature. He wrote in a book. Peter felt busy. He felt happy. He loved his new life.
Peter was very happy. He told his friends his stories. He saw many wonderful places. He found many new animals. Peter had no shadow. But he was free. He loved his new life very much.
Original Story
To Fouqué, from Hitzig
We have done, then, the desperate deed: there is Schlemihl’s story which we were to preserve to ourselves as our own secret, and lo! not only Frenchmen and Englishmen, Dutchmen and Spaniards have translated it, and Americans have reprinted it from the English text, as I announced to my own erudite Berlin, but now in our beloved Germany a new edition appears with the English etchings, which the illustrious Cruikshank sketched from the life, and wider still will the story be told. Not a word didst thou mutter to me in 1814, of the publication of the MS., and did I not deem thy reckless enterprise suitably punished by the complaints of our Chamisso, in his Voyage round the World from 1815 to 1818—complaints urged in Chili and Kamtschatka, and uttered even to his departed friend Tameramaia of Owahee, I should even now demand of you crowning retribution.
However—this by the by—bygones are bygones—and you are right in this—that many, many friendly ones have looked upon the little book with affection during the thirteen eventful years since it saw the world’s light. I shall never forget the hour when I first read it to Hoffmann. He was beside himself with delight and eagerness, and hung upon my lips till I got to the end. He could not wait, not he, to make the personal acquaintance of the poet;—but though he hates all imitation, he could not withstand the temptation to copy—though not very felicitously—the idea of the lost shadow in the lost mirror picture of Crasinus Spekhn, in his tale of the “Last Night of the Year.” Yes, even among children has our marvellous history found its way, for on a bright winter evening, as I was going up the Borough-street with its narrator, a boy busied with his sledge laughed at him, upon which he tucked the boy under his bear-skin mantle—you know it well—and while he carried him he remained perfectly quiet until he was set down on the footway—and then—having made off to a distance, where he felt safe as if nothing had happened, he shouted aloud to his captor—“Nay, stop, Peter Schlemihl!”
Methinks, the honourable scarecrow, clad now in trist and fashionable attire, may be welcome to those who never saw him in his modest kurtka of 1814. These and those will be surprised in the botanizing, circumnavigating—the once well-appointed Royal Prussian officer, in the historiographer of the illustrious Peter Schlemihl, to discover a lyric whose poetical heart is rightly fixed, whether he sing in Malayan or Lithuanian.
Thanks, then, dear Fouqué, heartfelt thanks, for the launching of the first edition, and with our friends, receive my wishes for the prosperity of the second.
Edward Hitzig.
Berlin, January, 1827.
* * * * *
With the second edition of Schlemihl, appeared Chamisso’s Songs and Ballads. His Travels round the World, have also been published. Among his poetry are translations from various languages.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Peter Schlemihl, a young man, sells his shadow to a mysterious grey man for a bottomless purse. While initially enjoying his wealth, he soon finds himself an outcast due to his lack of a shadow, losing love and social standing. He refuses the grey man's offer to return his shadow in exchange for his soul, choosing poverty instead. Acquiring seven-league boots, Schlemihl dedicates his life to scientific exploration and finds contentment as a solitary scholar, communicating his story through letters.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story was written during the Romantic era in Germany, which often explored themes of alienation, the supernatural, and the individual's place in society. The 'letter' format is a common literary device of the period.
Plot Beats (9)
- Peter Schlemihl, a poor but honest young man, attends a party where he meets a mysterious grey man.
- The grey man offers Schlemihl a bottomless purse in exchange for his shadow, which Schlemihl accepts.
- Initially, Schlemihl enjoys his newfound wealth but soon discovers that people are repulsed by his lack of a shadow.
- His beloved Mina rejects him, and he becomes an outcast, unable to integrate into society.
- The grey man reappears, offering to return Schlemihl's shadow if he signs over his soul, which Schlemihl vehemently refuses.
- Schlemihl throws away the magic purse, choosing poverty and freedom over eternal damnation.
- He acquires a pair of seven-league boots, which allow him to travel vast distances.
- Schlemihl dedicates his life to botanical and zoological studies, finding purpose and happiness in scientific exploration.
- He corresponds with his friend Chamisso, sharing his adventures and philosophical reflections on his unique condition.
Characters
Edward Hitzig ★ protagonist
A man of average height and build, likely in his 40s or 50s, given the context of his correspondence and reflections on past events. His appearance is not explicitly detailed, but he is a literary figure in Berlin.
Attire: Typical early 19th-century German professional attire, likely consisting of a dark wool frock coat, a waistcoat, trousers, and a cravat. Practical and respectable, befitting a man of letters.
Wants: To reflect on the success and impact of 'Peter Schlemihl's Story', to express gratitude and mild reproach to Fouqué, and to celebrate Chamisso's literary achievements.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to dwell on past grievances (like the unauthorized publication), though he ultimately lets them go.
He doesn't have a significant arc within this letter, but his perspective shifts from mild complaint to heartfelt gratitude and celebration of the story's success.
Reflective, literary, somewhat critical but ultimately affectionate towards his friends and their work, appreciative of good storytelling, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged German man, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has neatly combed dark brown hair, a clean-shaven face with a thoughtful expression, and intelligent dark eyes. He wears a dark grey wool frock coat, a cream-colored waistcoat, a white cravat, and dark trousers. His hands are clasped loosely in front of him. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué ◆ supporting
Not explicitly described, but as a contemporary and friend of Hitzig and Chamisso, he would be an adult, likely of similar age. He is known for having published the manuscript of 'Peter Schlemihl's Story'.
Attire: Likely similar to Hitzig's, but perhaps with a slightly more artistic or less rigid style, consistent with a Romantic author of the early 19th century. Dark, well-tailored garments.
Wants: To share 'Peter Schlemihl's Story' with the world, believing in its literary merit.
Flaw: Impulsiveness, acting without full consultation.
No arc within the letter, as he is primarily referred to.
Enterprising, perhaps a bit impulsive (in publishing the manuscript), a good friend, respected by Hitzig despite past grievances.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged German man, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark, slightly wavy hair styled back from his forehead, a clean-shaven face, and a confident, knowing expression with a slight smile. He wears a dark blue wool frock coat, a patterned silk waistcoat, and a white cravat. His hands are clasped behind his back. 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 a botanist and circumnavigator, he would be a man of robust health, likely in his 30s or 40s during the events described. He is referred to as a 'well-appointed Royal Prussian officer'.
Attire: Initially, the 'modest kurtka of 1814' (a short jacket, likely military or simple civilian). Later, as a 'botanizing, circumnavigating' figure, practical but respectable clothing, perhaps a sturdy wool coat, trousers, and boots suitable for travel and scientific pursuits.
Wants: To express himself through poetry and exploration, to protect his literary work (initially), to share his experiences.
Flaw: Sensitivity to his work being published without his consent.
He moves from complaining about the publication to having his 'Songs and Ballads' and 'Travels round the World' published, suggesting a reconciliation with public literary life.
Poetic, sensitive (complaining about the publication), adventurous (circumnavigating the world), versatile (singing in Malayan or Lithuanian).
Image Prompt & Upload
A man in his late 30s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark, slightly disheveled hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and deep-set, intelligent eyes with a contemplative expression. He wears a sturdy dark green wool traveling coat with brass buttons, a practical linen shirt, and dark trousers tucked into tall leather boots. He holds a small, leather-bound journal in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
E. T. A. Hoffmann ○ minor
Not explicitly described, but as a contemporary and fellow author, he would be an adult. Known for his intense and imaginative works, he might have had a somewhat intense or eccentric appearance.
Attire: Likely typical early 19th-century German professional attire, perhaps with a slightly more artistic or less conventional flair than Hitzig, reflecting his creative profession.
Wants: To experience and create compelling stories.
Flaw: Could not resist the temptation to copy a literary idea, even if 'not very felicitously'.
No arc within the letter, as he is primarily referred to in a past event.
Passionate, eager, appreciative of literature, imaginative, prone to imitation despite disliking it.
Image Prompt & Upload
A man in his 40s, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a high forehead, slightly receding dark hair, intense, wide-set eyes, and a lean face with a passionate, slightly manic expression. He wears a dark velvet coat, a high-collared white shirt, and a loosely tied cravat. His hands are slightly raised in an expressive gesture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Peter Schlemihl ★ protagonist
Initially described as an 'honourable scarecrow, clad now in trist and fashionable attire'. This suggests a somewhat gaunt or unusual figure, perhaps tall and slender, with a distinctive presence. The 'bear-skin mantle' implies a robust, perhaps imposing, outer appearance despite the 'scarecrow' description.
Attire: Initially, a 'modest kurtka of 1814'. Later, 'trist and fashionable attire' and a 'bear-skin mantle' (a heavy fur coat). This suggests a progression from humble beginnings to a more refined, yet perhaps somber, elegance, always with a distinctive outer garment.
Wants: To avoid being recognized or caught, to engage playfully with children, to maintain his secret.
Flaw: His lost shadow (implied by the boy's shout), which makes him vulnerable to recognition and ridicule.
Implied to have learned to live with his unique condition, finding a way to engage with the world despite his secret, and even finding joy in playful interactions.
Mysterious, quiet, capable of surprising actions (tucking the boy under his mantle), playful (shouting 'Nay, stop, Peter Schlemihl!'), perhaps a bit reclusive or cautious (feeling safe at a distance).
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, slender man, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a somewhat gaunt face with sharp features, dark, neatly combed hair, and observant dark eyes. He wears a large, dark brown bear-skin mantle that drapes heavily over his shoulders, covering a dark, fashionable frock coat underneath. His expression is quiet and watchful, with a hint of a playful smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Borough-street, Berlin
A street in Berlin on a bright winter evening, likely lined with buildings, where a boy is playing with a sledge.
Mood: Lively, playful, then a bit mysterious/tense
Hitzig and the narrator encounter a boy who recognizes the narrator as Peter Schlemihl, leading to a playful chase.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, snow-dusted cobblestone street in a 19th-century Berlin borough, flanked by sturdy, multi-story brick and stucco buildings with gabled roofs. Soft, diffused light from the bright winter evening illuminates the scene, catching the faint breath of a child playing with a wooden sledge. The air is crisp and clear, with a hint of lingering daylight in the pale sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
