Annette von Droste-Hülshoff

Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, who had to fight for her claim to literary writing against the requirements of her class, is considered the most important German-speaking poet of the 19th century. Her multifaceted work, which mainly includes poetry and prose, is concisely presented in this concentrated introduction. Breaks and the dynamics of change in a confused time between revolution and reaction become visible, in which the question was anew what poetry could be and what role a female voice can play. It outlines the profile of an author whose work focuses on aspects of ambivalence, transformation and crossing of boundaries. The volume works out central themes in overview presentations and individual interpretations, thus opening up an oeuvre that claims a unique place in literary history.