Hesse's "Das erste Abenteuer": A Socio-literary Analysis

Abstract

Hermann Hesse's short story Das erste Abenteuer has been published twice since it was written during author's Gaienhofer Years in 1905 (cf. Pfeifer 268 and Zeller 50-68). The first time it appeared was in 1906 in Simplizissimus, and only in 1973 was it reprinted in a collection of Hesse's early short prose. Simplizissimus, renowned satirical literary and political weekly, was also reputed for its cartoons which were often reprinted in other magazines and journals not only because of their humour but as political documents (Schoenberner 311). But as Schoenberner, one of its editors between two World Wars, pointed out, the chief characteristic of Simplizissimus was its absolute independence. It was at liberty to comment on all political and cultural events, without being tied to any political party or to any commercial (311). These characteristics of Simplizissimus were especially true when Das erste Abenteuer was published and, as will become evident, may have been an important reason why Hesse chose weekly for publication of his short story. In following, it will be argued that publication of this short story in Simplizissimus is significant for following reasons: work contains a sophisticated narrative structure in a socio-literary context demonstrating, au minimum, an awareness of social and political dimensions by Hesse and, au maximum, a left-leaning tendency. The results of present socio-literary analysis import new significance to this short story especially when attention is paid to its place of publication. Further, it will become evident that Das erste Abenteuer occupies special significance in Hesse's oeuvre because it appears that in period when short story was written — in Gaienhofer Jahre — it is sole evidence of Hesse's interest in politics and ideology. At same time, short story's publication in Simplizissimus reinforces social and cultural importance of that magazine. The suggestion that Hesse manifested in Das erste Abenteuer a particular ideological disposition is a contentious notion because in secondary literature