An
by Adelbert von Chamisso · from Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte
Adapted Version
Once there was a young man named Peter. He went to a big party. Peter felt a little shy. Many people were there. He did not know many faces. He stood alone.
A strange man came to Peter. He wore gray clothes. He was The Gray Man. He pulled things from his pocket. He pulled a spyglass. He pulled a horse. He wanted Peter's shadow. "I will buy your shadow," he said.
Peter wanted much money. The Gray Man had a magic purse. This purse always had gold coins. Peter thought money made him happy. He sold his shadow. He took the magic purse. He now had no shadow.
Peter had much gold. He bought many things. But people saw Peter. He had no shadow. They looked at him oddly. They pointed at him. Children did not want to play. Peter felt very alone. He was very sad. Money did not make him happy.
The Gray Man came back. He offered Peter his shadow. But Peter must give a thing. He must give his inner goodness. This was a very good part. Peter knew this was wrong. He said no to the man. He would not give his goodness. He would not give his kind heart.
Peter knew money was not good. It did not make him happy. He threw the magic purse away. He felt sad and lost. But he felt good inside. He kept his inner goodness. He made the right choice.
Peter found some magic boots. These boots were very special. They helped him travel fast. He could go very far. He walked all over the land.
Peter loved plants and flowers. He looked at them near. He learned many new things. He learned about nature. This made him feel happy. This made him feel busy. He found a new purpose.
Peter traveled all the world. He found new plants. He drew them in his book. He helped others learn. He shared his new knowledge. He became a good helper. He helped nature. People liked his work.
Peter was happy now. He did not have a shadow. But he had his inner goodness. He made the right choice. He loved his new life. He was happy with himself. He knew what was truly good.
Peter learned some things matter more. It is good to keep your inner goodness.
Original Story
An
Julius Eduard Hitzig von Adelbert von Chamisso.
Du vergissest niemanden, du wirst dich noch eines gewissen Peter Schlemihls erinnern, den du in früheren Jahren ein paarmal bei mir gesehen hast, ein langbeiniger Bursch’, den man ungeschickt glaubte, weil er linkisch war, und der wegen seiner Trägheit für faul galt. Ich hatte ihn lieb – du kannst nicht vergessen haben, Eduard, wie er uns einmal in unsrer grünen Zeit durch die Sonette lief, ich brachte ihn mit auf einen der poetischen Tees, wo er mir noch während des Schreibens einschlief, ohne das Lesen abzuwarten. Nun erinnere ich mich auch eines Witzes, den du auf ihn machtest. Du hattest ihn nämlich schon, Gott weiß wo und wann, in einer alten schwarzen Kurtka gesehen, die er freilich damals noch immer trug, und sagtest: »Der ganze Kerl wäre glücklich zu schätzen, wenn seine Seele nur halb so unsterblich wäre, als seine Kurtka.« – So wenig galt er bei euch. – Ich hatte ihn lieb. – Von diesem Schlemihl nun, den ich seit langen Jahren aus dem Gesicht verloren hatte, rührt das Heft her, das ich dir mitteilen will. – Dir nur, Eduard, meinem nächsten, innigsten Freunde, meinem beßren Ich, vor dem ich kein Geheimnis verwahren kann, teil’ ich es mit, nur dir und, es versteht sich von selbst, unserm Fouqué, gleich dir in meiner Seele eingewurzelt – aber in ihm teil’ ich es bloß dem Freunde mit, nicht dem Dichter. – Ihr werdet einsehen, wie unangenehm es mir sein würde, wenn etwa die Beichte, die ein ehrlicher Mann im Vertrauen auf meine Freundschaft und Redlichkeit an meiner Brust ablegt, in einem Dichterwerke an den Pranger geheftet würde, oder nur wenn überhaupt unheilig verfahren würde, wie mit einem Erzeugnis schlechten Witzes, mit einer Sache, die das nicht ist und sein darf. Freilich muß ich selbst gestehen, daß es um die Geschichte schad’ ist, die unter des guten Mannes Feder nur albern geworden, daß sie nicht von einer geschickteren fremden Hand in ihrer ganzen komischen Kraft dargestellt werden kann. – Was würde nicht Jean Paul daraus gemacht haben! – Übrigens, lieber Freund, mögen hier manche genannt sein, die noch leben; auch das will beachtet sein. –
Noch ein Wort über die Art, wie diese Blätter an mich gelangt sind. Gestern früh bei meinem Erwachen gab man sie mir ab – ein wunderlicher Mann, der einen langen grauen Bart trug, eine ganz abgenützte schwarze Kurtka anhatte, eine botanische Kapsel darüber umgehangen, und bei dem feuchten, regnichten Wetter Pantoffeln über seine Stiefel, hatte sich nach mir erkundigt und dieses für mich hinterlassen; er hatte aus Berlin zu kommen vorgegeben. – – –
Kunersdorf, den 27. September 1813.
Adelbert von Chamisso
P. S. Ich lege dir eine Zeichnung bei, die der kunstreiche Leopold, der eben an seinem Fenster stand, von der auffallenden Erscheinung entworfen hat. Als er den Wert, den ich auf diese Skizze legte, gesehen hat, hat er sie mir gerne geschenkt. [1]
Story DNA
Moral
Be wary of what you sacrifice for material gain, as some things, once lost, can never be truly regained.
Plot Summary
Peter Schlemihl, a poor young man, sells his shadow to a mysterious gray man for a bottomless purse of gold. While he gains immense wealth, he loses his social standing and is shunned by everyone due to his shadowlessness. He rejects the gray man's offer to return his shadow in exchange for his soul, choosing integrity over social acceptance. Peter then acquires seven-league boots and dedicates his life to botanical exploration, finding a new purpose and contentment in scientific discovery, despite forever being without a shadow.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Written during the Napoleonic Wars, reflecting themes of displacement and loss of identity. The framing device with Chamisso and his friends adds a layer of literary realism to a fantastical tale.
Plot Beats (11)
- Peter Schlemihl, a poor and awkward young man, attends a garden party hosted by a wealthy man.
- A mysterious man in gray appears, seemingly able to pull any object from his pocket, and offers to buy Peter's shadow.
- Peter, tempted by the promise of infinite wealth, agrees to sell his shadow for Fortunatus's purse, which provides endless gold.
- Initially, Peter enjoys his wealth but soon discovers that being shadowless makes him an outcast, feared and ridiculed by society.
- He falls in love with Mina, but her father and she reject him upon discovering he has no shadow.
- The mysterious gray man reappears, offering to return Peter's shadow if Peter signs away his soul, which Peter refuses.
- Peter throws away the magic purse and wanders the world, despairing over his condition.
- He accidentally acquires a pair of seven-league boots, allowing him to travel vast distances quickly.
- Peter dedicates himself to the study of nature and botany, finding solace and purpose in scientific exploration.
- He travels the globe, collecting plants and contributing to science, becoming a respected natural historian.
- Peter finds a new form of happiness and fulfillment, despite his permanent shadowlessness, having chosen integrity over social conformity.
Characters
Adelbert von Chamisso
A man of average build and height, likely in his late 20s to early 40s, consistent with a writer and intellectual of the early 19th century in Germany. No specific distinguishing features are mentioned, suggesting a conventional appearance for his time.
Attire: As a writer and intellectual of the early 19th century, he would likely wear practical yet respectable attire, such as a dark frock coat, waistcoat, cravat, and trousers, made of wool or linen in muted colors like grey, brown, or black.
Wants: To share a significant and unusual manuscript with trusted friends, seeking their understanding and discretion, and to preserve the story of Peter Schlemihl.
Flaw: Perhaps overly sentimental or trusting, as he shares a deeply personal confession with friends, albeit trusted ones.
He acts as the conduit for Peter Schlemihl's story, framing it with his own reflections and setting the tone for its reception. His character doesn't undergo a significant arc within this introductory section but serves to establish the narrative's context.
Trusting, loyal, sentimental (especially towards Peter Schlemihl), discreet (regarding Peter's confession), appreciative of friendship, and a keen observer of human nature.
Peter Schlemihl
A tall, lanky young man, perceived as awkward and clumsy due to his gangly limbs. His build is thin, and he moves with a lack of grace. His appearance suggests a certain disheveled quality.
Attire: Consistently wears an old, worn-out black 'Kurtka' (a type of short jacket or coat, often military-style or a riding coat, common in early 19th century Central Europe). This jacket is so old it's become a running joke about its immortality.
Wants: Not explicitly stated in this introduction, but the fact that he writes a confession suggests a desire to share his story and perhaps seek understanding or absolution.
Flaw: His awkwardness and perceived laziness. The story hints at a deeper, more profound weakness related to his 'soul's immortality' compared to his coat.
The introduction sets up his story as a 'confession' that will reveal a significant, perhaps life-altering, experience. His arc is the central focus of the larger work.
Perceived as clumsy, awkward, and lazy by others, but Chamisso sees him as someone he loves. He is likely introverted, perhaps a dreamer, given his tendency to fall asleep during poetry readings.
Eduard Hitzig
No specific physical description is provided, but as Chamisso's 'innigsten Freunde' (closest, most intimate friend), he would likely be a contemporary and peer, suggesting a man of similar age and social standing in early 19th century Germany.
Attire: As a friend of Chamisso and a participant in 'poetischen Tees,' he would wear respectable, fashionable attire for the period, such as a well-tailored frock coat, waistcoat, and cravat in quality fabrics like wool or fine linen.
Wants: To engage in intellectual and friendly discourse, to share in confidences, and to appreciate literature.
Flaw: His wit, while clever, can be cutting, as seen in his joke about Peter Schlemihl's coat and soul.
He serves as the primary recipient of Chamisso's letter and Peter Schlemihl's story, representing the trusted audience for the narrative.
Witty (he made a joke about Peter Schlemihl), observant (he noticed Peter's old coat), and a trusted friend to Chamisso. He is part of Chamisso's inner circle.
Fouqué
No specific physical description is provided, but as a close friend and peer of Chamisso and Hitzig, he would be a man of similar age and social standing in early 19th century Germany, likely a writer or intellectual himself.
Attire: As a friend of Chamisso and a writer, he would wear respectable, period-appropriate attire, such as a dark frock coat, waistcoat, and cravat, made of quality fabrics like wool or fine linen.
Wants: To engage in friendship and perhaps to appreciate the story as a human experience rather than a literary work.
Flaw: His identity as a poet could be a weakness if he were to treat Peter's confession as material for his art, which Chamisso explicitly warns against.
He serves as a secondary trusted recipient of Peter Schlemihl's story, reinforcing the theme of discretion and friendship.
A trusted friend to Chamisso, 'in meiner Seele eingewurzelt' (rooted in my soul). He is also a poet, but Chamisso emphasizes sharing the story with him as a friend, not a poet, highlighting his discretion.
The Mysterious Messenger
A 'wunderlicher Mann' (peculiar man) with a long grey beard. He wears a very worn-out black 'Kurtka' and, unusually, slippers over his boots in wet weather. He carries a botanical capsule.
Attire: A 'ganz abgenützte schwarze Kurtka' (a completely worn-out black short coat), similar to Peter Schlemihl's. He wears slippers over his boots, which is a very unusual and distinctive detail, especially in wet weather.
Wants: To deliver Peter Schlemihl's manuscript to Chamisso.
Flaw: Not applicable, as he is a minor, transient character.
He serves as the catalyst for the story's delivery, appearing briefly to hand over the manuscript and then disappearing.
Mysterious, discreet (he only left the manuscript and left without waiting), and possibly a traveler (claimed to come from Berlin).
Leopold
No specific physical description is provided, but he is described as 'kunstreiche' (artful/skillful), implying an artist's keen eye. He is likely a contemporary of Chamisso.
Attire: As an artist in early 19th century Germany, he would likely wear practical yet respectable attire, such as a dark coat, waistcoat, and trousers, perhaps with a slightly more relaxed or artistic flair than a formal intellectual.
Wants: To sketch an interesting subject and to please his friend Chamisso.
Flaw: Not applicable, as he is a minor character.
He briefly appears to provide a visual record of the messenger, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.
Artful, observant, generous (he gave his sketch to Chamisso), and quick to capture a scene.
Locations
Chamisso's Study/Home
The personal study or living space of Adelbert von Chamisso, where he receives the mysterious package. Implied to be a private, intimate setting suitable for sharing confidences.
Mood: Intimate, reflective, slightly mysterious due to the delivery
Chamisso receives Peter Schlemihl's manuscript and the accompanying sketch, setting the stage for the story's revelation.
Kunersdorf (Chamisso's Location)
The geographical location where Chamisso is writing, a small German village or estate. The weather is described as wet and rainy, typical for late September in Germany.
Mood: Quiet, rural, slightly melancholic due to the weather
The setting where Chamisso dates his letter, indicating the time and place of the narrative's framing device.