An Ebendenselben Von Fouqué
by Adelbert von Chamisso · from Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte
Adapted Version
Hello, my friend! I have a special story. It is a very special story. It is about my friend Schlemihl. I want to tell you about it. I talk to my friend Eduard. I have this special story for him. I worry about the story. Will people understand it well? I hope they do. It is a very special story, indeed.
It is hard to keep a story safe. A book can get lost. A paper can tear. I think about this much. I want to protect the story. It is very important to me. I make a big choice. I decide to print the story. Many people can read it then. This makes me happy. It is a good plan. I like this plan.
I have a good reason for this. I believe in kind people. Many kind people live in our land. They have good hearts. Their hearts are warm. They will read my story. They will understand Schlemihl's tale. They will like it very much. This is a true thing. I know this. I feel it in my heart.
My friend Eduard feels sad. I know he feels sad. He has a big hurt. I hope my story helps him. The story can make him feel better. Maybe it brings a little peace. It is a warm story. It is for Eduard. I want him to smile. I want him to feel happy again. My story can do this.
I believe in a special helper. This helper is for all books. I call it The Book Helper. It is a very good helper. It is a kind helper. It makes sure good stories go. They go to the right people. It keeps them safe too. This helper is very smart. It knows who should read. It knows where stories belong.
I give Schlemihl's story. I give it to The Book Helper. I trust this helper with all my heart. The story has sad parts. It also has happy parts. The Book Helper will take care. It will guide the story. I feel happy now. I say goodbye to the story. It will find its way. It will find its home.
Now, The Book Helper will take care. It will care for Schlemihl's story. It will keep it safe. I feel happy. Very happy. Goodbye, my friend!
Original Story
An Ebendenselben von Fouqué.
Bewahren, lieber Eduard, sollen wir die Geschichte des armen Schlemihl, dergestalt bewahren, daß sie vor Augen, die nicht hineinzusehen haben, beschirmt bleibe. Das ist eine schlimme Aufgabe. Es gibt solcher Augen eine ganze Menge, und welcher Sterbliche kann die Schicksale eines Manuskriptes bestimmen, eines Dinges, das beinah noch schlimmer zu hüten ist als ein gesprochenes Wort. Da mach’ ich’s denn wie ein Schwindelnder, der in der Angst lieber gleich in den Abgrund springt: ich lasse die ganze Geschichte drucken.
Und doch, Eduard, es gibt ernstere und bessere Gründe für mein Benehmen. Es trügt mich alles oder in unserm lieben Deutschland schlagen der Herzen viel, die den armen Schlemihl zu verstehen fähig sind und auch wert, und über manch eines echten Landsmannes Gesicht wird bei dem herben Scherz, den das Leben mit ihm, und bei dem arglosen, den er mit sich selbst treibt, ein gerührtes Lächeln ziehn. Und du, mein Eduard, wenn du das grundehrliche Buch ansiehst und dabei denkst, daß viele unbekannte Herzensverwandte es mit uns lieben lernen, fühlst auch vielleicht einen Balsamtropfen in die heiße Wunde fallen, die dir und allen, die dich lieben, der Tod geschlagen hat.
Und endlich: es gibt – ich habe mich durch mannigfache Erfahrung davon überzeugt – es gibt für die gedruckten Bücher einen Genius, der sie in die rechten Hände bringt und, wenn nicht immer, doch sehr oft die unrechten davon abhält. Auf allen Fall hat er ein unsichtbares Vorhängschloß vor jedwedem echten Geistes- und Gemütswerke und weiß mit einer ganz untrüglichen Geschicklichkeit auf- und zuzuschließen.
Diesem Genius, mein sehr lieber Schlemihl, vertraue ich dein Lächeln und deine Tränen an, und somit Gott befohlen!
Nennhausen, Ende Mai 1814.
Fouqué.
Story DNA
Moral
True understanding and appreciation for a work will find its way to the right hearts, despite the risks of public exposure.
Plot Summary
The narrator, Chamisso, writes to his friend Eduard (Fouqué) about the dilemma of preserving the story of 'poor Schlemihl' from misunderstanding. Despite initial fears of public exposure, he decides to publish it, believing that many German hearts will appreciate its depth and that it might offer solace to Eduard in his grief. He concludes by expressing faith in a 'genius' that guides printed books to the right readers, entrusting Schlemihl's story to this protective force.
Themes
Emotional Arc
concern to hopeful acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a preface to Adelbert von Chamisso's famous novella 'Peter Schlemihl's Remarkable Story', written in 1814. The 'Eduard' mentioned is likely Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, to whom Chamisso dedicated the work. The 'death' mentioned refers to the recent loss of Fouqué's wife.
Plot Beats (6)
- The narrator, Chamisso, addresses his friend Eduard, expressing concern about preserving the story of 'poor Schlemihl' from misunderstanding.
- He notes the difficulty of protecting a manuscript and, in a moment of anxiety, decides to publish the entire story.
- He then provides more serious reasons for his decision, believing that many German hearts will understand and appreciate Schlemihl's tale.
- He hopes the story will offer solace to Eduard, who is experiencing grief.
- Finally, he asserts his belief in a 'genius' for printed books that ensures they reach the right readers and are protected from the wrong ones.
- He entrusts the story to this genius and bids it farewell.
Characters
Eduard
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a man of refined sensibilities and perhaps a melancholic disposition due to recent loss.
Attire: Not explicitly described. Likely wears the formal attire of a German nobleman or scholar from the early 19th century, such as a dark frock coat, waistcoat, cravat, and trousers.
Wants: To find solace and understanding, especially after a recent loss. To appreciate genuine literary works.
Flaw: Vulnerability to grief and sorrow, as indicated by the 'hot wound' of death.
Does not have a narrative arc within this short text, but is presented as someone in a state of grief who might find comfort in the shared experience of the story.
Sensitive, understanding, empathetic, and likely grieving. He is trusted by the author with a personal and emotional connection.
Schlemihl
Not explicitly described in this text, but referred to as 'poor Schlemihl,' implying a character who faces hardship or an unusual fate. The story he belongs to is about a man who sells his shadow.
Attire: Not explicitly described in this text. In the original story, he starts as a man of modest means who later gains wealth, so his attire would reflect this progression, from simple clothes to more opulent, early 19th-century German fashion, such as a dark suit, waistcoat, and cravat, perhaps with a distinctive lack of a shadow.
Wants: In the broader context of his story, he seeks wealth and acceptance, but ultimately seeks to regain what he has lost.
Flaw: Naivety and a willingness to make a Faustian bargain for worldly gain, leading to a profound loss.
In his own story, he undergoes a profound transformation from a naive man seeking fortune to a solitary, wise individual who finds solace in nature and scientific study after losing his shadow.
Naive, earnest, perhaps a bit clumsy in his dealings with the world, but fundamentally good-hearted. He is the subject of 'bitter jest' and 'guileless jest' with life and himself.
Fouqué
Not explicitly described, but as the author of this letter, he is a man of letters and a contemporary of Chamisso. Likely a distinguished German gentleman of the early 19th century.
Attire: Not explicitly described. As a German nobleman and writer, he would wear the formal attire of the early 19th century: a dark frock coat, waistcoat, cravat, and trousers, possibly with a more artistic or slightly less rigid style than a pure courtier.
Wants: To protect the integrity and ensure the proper reception of the story of Schlemihl, to offer solace to his friend Eduard, and to connect with like-minded readers.
Flaw: A certain anxiety about how his work will be received and protected, leading to a pragmatic but perhaps less ideal solution (publishing).
Does not have a narrative arc within this short text, but acts as a thoughtful and protective guardian of another's work.
Thoughtful, protective, empathetic, and a firm believer in the power of literature to connect hearts. He is also pragmatic, choosing to publish to protect the story.
Genius of Printed Books
Invisible, but described as having skill and knowledge. If personified, it would be ethereal and wise.
Attire: Invisible. If personified, perhaps flowing, translucent robes that shift like mist, or simply an aura of light.
Wants: To guide and protect genuine works of spirit and emotion, ensuring they reach receptive hearts.
Flaw: None mentioned; described as 'unfailing skill.'
Does not have a narrative arc; it is a constant, guiding force.
Wise, discerning, protective, and infallible in its task. It ensures that books find their rightful readers and are shielded from those who would misunderstand them.
Locations
Nennhausen (Fouqué's Study)
A quiet, private study within a German manor house, likely furnished with a writing desk, bookshelves, and perhaps a view of the surrounding estate. The atmosphere is one of contemplation and literary creation.
Mood: Reflective, intimate, slightly melancholic due to the mention of loss, but ultimately hopeful for the book's reception.
The author, Fouqué, is writing the dedicatory letter to Eduard, explaining his decision to publish the story of Schlemihl and entrusting it to a 'genius' of printed books.