Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister project spanned several decades, from the 1770s to the 1820s, and produced three novels. The earliest,
Wilhelm Meisters theatralische Sendung[
Wilhelm Meister’s Theatrical Mission], was probably composed between 1777 and 1785, remained a fragment and was first published in 1911, while
Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre[
Wilhelm Meister’s Journeyman Years, 1821 and 1829] continues the story of Wilhelm’s life in an eccentric narrative form that anticipates the modern novel.
Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre[
Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, 1795-96], an intricately plotted novel characterized by Goethe as “eine der incalculabelsten Productionen” [“one of the most incalculable productions”], inaugurated the European
Bildungsroman. The only novel Goethe wrote…
1828 words
Citation: Macleod, Catriona. "Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 July 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=8799, accessed 19 April 2024.]
