Goethe Conversation Records

Author: Eckermann
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The Conversations with Goethe is divided into three parts. The first and second parts were published in 1836, and the third part in 1848. The 1830s and 1840s were revolutionary decades in German history. Due to Goethe's skeptical and detached attitude toward revolution, he became the target of attacks from democratic radicals. Under these circumstances, Eckermann's book, which records conversations with Goethe, was naturally met with indifference from critics and the general public. After the 1848 revolution failed, the political situation in Germany changed, and Goethe gained increasing public attention. Especially after the unification of Germany in 1871, Goethe was hailed as the "Olympian God." The book recording the conversations of this "saint" thus became the "sacred scripture." Academia regards this book as a secret reading list for studying Goethe; some experts even consider it as Goethe's own work. Additionally, many scholars have no doubt that the recorded scenes and conversations in the book are entirely reliable and trustworthy. In summary, from the late 19th century to the 20th century, the vast majority of scholars viewed Eckermann's book as an objective and faithful record of Goethe's conversations, an absolutely reliable handwritten manuscript. However, this perspective on Eckermann's work contradicts his own intentions. In the preface to the first and second parts, he wrote: "Goethe manifests different images in different circumstances and to different people, so as far as I am concerned, I can only humbly say that this is my Goethe."