Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 1. The Emigrant Literature

by Georg Brandes

"Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 1. The Emigrant Literature" by George Brandes is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work explores the literary movements and psychological shifts occurring in Europe during the first half of the 19th century, particularly in response to the political upheavals after the French Revolution. The author aims to analyze how the "Emigrant Literature" reflects the tensions between the ideas of the preceding century and the emerging thoughts centered on progress and revolution. The opening of the work discusses the fragmented literary landscape at the beginning of the 19th century, characterized by a reaction against the Enlightenment ideas of the previous century. Brandes emphasizes the impact of the political dynamics of the time, with many authors fleeing persecution and using their exile as a period of literary productivity. He introduces key figures such as Chateaubriand and Rousseau, detailing their struggles and how their works symbolize the emotional and ideological conflicts of the era. This introduction sets the stage for an examination of the literary figures who navigated these turbulent times and contributed to the evolution of literary expression in Europe.