Reading Rilke's Orphic Identity

Erika M. Nelson

ISBN 10: 3039102877 / ISBN 13: 9783039102877

Published by Peter Lang, 2005

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - This study of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) examines the poet's understanding of the malleable nature of identity, while addressing the question of Rilke's place in literary history. In line with contemporary literary theory which views the 'self' as a societal 'construction' and strategic narrative device, this study explores Rilke's preoccupations with identity in his work, as he investigates the disintegration of the subjective self in the modern world. Rilke's re-readings of the mythological figures of Orpheus and Narcissus in modern psychological terms, as well as in terms of traditional poetics, are keys not only to his poetics and his changing understanding of 'self', but also to his evolving critique of society. This study tracks how Rilke's Orphic work disengages traditional patterns of perceptions, not only to challenge fidelity to history, but also to recover the power of traditional elements from that history to help articulate subjectivity in new terms.

Seller Inventory # 9783039102877

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Reading Rilke's Orphic Identity
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3039102877
• ISBN 13: 9783039102877
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 220W x 150H x 15D millimeters 220 millimeters width by 150 millimeters height by 15 millimeters depth
• Weight: 390 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This study of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) examines the poet’s understanding of the malleable nature of identity, while addressing the question of Rilke’s place in literary history. In line with contemporary literary theory which views the «self» as a societal «construction» and strategic narrative device, this study explores Rilke’s preoccupations with identity in his work, as he investigates the disintegration of the subjective self in the modern world. Rilke’s re-readings of the mythological figures of Orpheus and Narcissus in modern psychological terms, as well as in terms of traditional poetics, are keys not only to his poetics and his changing understanding of «self», but also to his evolving critique of society. This study tracks how Rilke’s Orphic work disengages traditional patterns of perceptions, not only to challenge fidelity to history, but also to recover the power of traditional elements from that history to help articulate subjectivity in new terms.

About the Author

The Author: Erika M. Nelson is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas, where she teaches German language, literature, and culture courses. Her current research explores German spa culture, film, and the literary influences of Liquid Sound.