Conversations with German Refugees

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Newcomb Livraria Press

About this ebook

A new 2023 translation into modern American English of Goethe's 1795 "Unterhaltungen deutscher Ausgewanderten". This edition contains an Afterword by the Translator, a Timeline of Goethe’s Life & Works and a Glossary of Philosophic Terminology used by Goethe. In "Conversations with German Refugees" Goethe delves into the themes of displacement, identity, and the impact of societal change. Employing sophisticated vocabulary and academic rigor, he presents a series of conversations between German emigrants, exploring their experiences and reflections on their native country and their new surroundings. Goethe delves into the complexities of cultural adaptation and the challenges faced by those uprooted from their homeland. Through these conversations, he examines the shifting dynamics of identity and the ways in which individuals negotiate their sense of self in the face of societal and cultural transformations. This work serves as a poignant reflection on the human condition and the impact of migration on individuals and communities, inviting readers to consider the intricate interplay between place, belonging, and personal identity.

About the author

One of the core writers of German Romanticism, Goethe was German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic, Goethe is considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era, next to his friend Schiller. His works, including "Faust," "The Sorrows of Young Werther," and "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship," have influenced various literary movements. NApolean, whom Goethe met, loved his novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther". Goethe also knew Hegel and Feuerbach personally. Goethe's ideas on color theory and plant morphology also contributed to the development of various scientific fields.