Ambivalent Readings of World Literature: Goethe in the Writings of German-Jewish Readers in Mandate Palestine/Israel. (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jessen, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Publications of the English Goethe Society. Volume 90:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Goethe -- German-Jewish history -- history of reading -- world literature -- migration -- exile; German literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; German literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; 830.9006
• DOI: 10.1080/09593683.2021.1887599
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3683

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article explores the ways in which German-Jewish émigré readers in Mandate Palestine/Israel referred to the idea of world literature, and to Goethe as its most prominent proponent, in order to advocate for the continuous significance of 'German' literature in spite of the break with tradition that the genocide of European Jewry caused. World literature emerges as a Kassiber, a coded message, enabling German-Jewish readers to hold on to familiar literary texts (and the particular memories tied to them) by adapting them to new ideological contexts as well as to new linguistic and cultural settings.