Sexual politics in the narratives of E.T.A. Hoffmann

Abstract

This article argues that contrary to late-eighteenth, and early-nineteenth, century sexual politics and contemporary literary practice, the work of E.T.A. Hoffman (1776–1822) subverts the accepted polarization of the sexes. This is shown in the choice and treatment of character and plot in Hoffmann's works of prose fiction, and in how he employs tone and narratorial voice. Drawing on a wide selection from Hoffmann's stories, some examined in detail, we show how his writing permits widely differing critical readings. We use Booker's theories to support our contention that Hoffmann's approach to gender is non-conformist. We also extend the critical arguments of Mattli, Bronfen, and Schmidt, and counter-argue against those of Hadlock, Asche, and Von Matt with regard to confined, comatose, and dead or dying women. We show that, in critiquing Romantic discourses on the muse, Hoffmann's work gives a voice to marginalized women, and lampoons bigoted men. We use a combination of historical, literary, allegorical, and folkloric critical approaches to support our argument that Hoffmann's fictional writing destabilizes a strict demarcation of gender; we thereby defend him against imputations of misogyny.