The 1900 novella Lieutenant Gustl marked a shift in German literature as the first example of stream-of-consciousness narration. Arthur Schnitzler, a physician turned writer, utilized this technique to create an unflattering portrait of the military's code of honor. This work resulted in the loss of his commission as a reserve officer in the medical corps.
Medical Background and Early Life
Born in Vienna in 1862, Schnitzler was the son of Johann Schnitzler, a prominent laryngologist. He attended the Akademisches Gymnasium before entering the University of Vienna. After earning his doctorate in medicine in 1885, he practiced at the General Hospital in Vienna. He eventually abandoned his medical career to focus on writing, although his clinical observations heavily influenced his psychological dramas.
Literary Themes and Controversies
Schnitzler identified love and death as the primary subjects of his creative writing. His output included psychological narratives that dissected the complexities of bourgeois life. The play Merry-Go-Round earned him a reputation as a pornographer due to its depiction of sexual encounters. His works often addressed antisemitism, most notably in the play Professor Bernhardi and the novel Der Weg ins Freie.
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Beyond his stage plays, Schnitzler was a master of novellas and short stories, including Fräulein Else. He pioneered the stream-of-consciousness style in German-language fiction. He maintained a meticulous diary from the age of 17 until his death, documenting his personal relationships and sexual encounters in nearly 8,000 pages of manuscript.
Censorship and Legacy
During his life, his work faced bans and public outcry, eventually being labeled as filth by Adolf Hitler. In 1933, his books were destroyed in Nazi-organized burnings. Despite this, he received honors such as the Bauernfeld prize in 1899, the Franz-Grillparzer-Preis in 1908, and the Raimund Award. He died of a brain hemorrhage in Vienna in 1931 and was buried at the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1862, Vienna
- Died: 1931, Vienna
- Education: University of Vienna (Doctor of Medicine)
- Notable Works: Dream Story, Merry-Go-Round, Fräulein Else
- Awards: Bauernfeld prize (1899), Franz-Grillparzer-Preis (1908)
- Languages: German
- Burial: Old Jewish Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Why did Schnitzler stop practicing medicine?
He chose to prioritize his writing career over his position at the General Hospital in Vienna.
What subjects did Schnitzler write about?
He focused on the themes of love and death, often exploring the psychological underpinnings of his characters.
Was Schnitzler's work censored?
Yes, his plays and novels were banned, and his works were incinerated during the Nazi-era book burnings.
Achievements
- Bauernfeld prize — 1899
- Notable work: Dream Story
- Notable work: Merry-Go-Round
- Notable work: Fräulein Else
- Notable work: Lieutenant Gustl
