Goethe's Autobiography: Poetry and Truth: Poetry and Truth

Author: Goethe
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Goethe wrote many autobiographical works, but none are more famous than Poetry and Truth. Few believe that an "autobiography" is "true," and Goethe himself did not believe so. Yet he wanted to make the greatest effort, with the utmost sincerity, to depict the fundamental truths that shaped his life. Seeking "truth" yet unable to attain it—what should one do? He simply stated that he was writing "truth" with the tone of poetry and the use of imagination. That's why the book is titled Poetry and Truth—"truth" is his pursuit, and the expression is "poetry." This book is Goethe's work from his later years. When he took up his pen to approach that "fundamental truth," he was already an elderly man in his sixties. He wrote it for over twenty years and completed it six months before his death. It was published the year after his death. This book pioneered the modern sense of a truly "autobiographical" path. Merely for this reason, it holds an unshakable position and value in the history of world literature. With the mature and meticulous insight of a man over sixty, Goethe depicted that "fundamental truth" objectively and calmly, composedly and steadily. With the genius of a "great literary master," he wielded his mighty brush to leave us this great masterpiece. This book pioneered the modern sense of a truly "autobiographical" work. Merely for this reason, it holds an unshakable position and value in the history of world literature. This book may not be "fundamental truth," and the proportion of "poetry" may be greater than that of "truth," but this does not prevent young people from taking it as a guide to life and savoring it carefully. This book is suitable for successful individuals in all fields; "quasi-famous" people who are striving but have not yet achieved fame; young people in the process of growth; elderly people over sixty with profound life experience; and literary figures who have some "dreams" in their hearts. "Trees can grow tall, but they can never reach the sky," as Goethe said in his Autobiography. Only the elderly with deep life experience, after undergoing the "purging" of growing into towering trees, can fully realize this fate of "never reaching the sky." Therefore, this Autobiography has the "greatness" of a king and the "wisdom" of a Zen master. It is full, tranquil, serene, yet insightful. Like a heavy ear of rice, it no longer lifts its head high as in youth but bows modestly, lowering its head toward the silent and profound earth. This book may not be "fundamental truth," and the proportion of "poetry" may be greater than that of "truth," but this does not prevent young people from taking it as a guide to life and savoring it carefully.