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Study Guide: Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff: A Romantic Poet

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Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff: A Romantic Poet Study Guide

Biography and Personal Life

Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff was born in 1788 in Upper Silesia, Prussia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff was born in 1788 in Upper Silesia, Prussia.

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Eichendorff's family belonged to a lower-middle-class background, which contributed to their financial struggles.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff belonged to an old noble family; his family's financial difficulties stemmed from factors such as the extensive reconstruction of their estate, not a lower-middle-class background.

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Eichendorff's family financial difficulties were primarily caused by his father's unsuccessful business ventures.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. While the family experienced financial hardship, the primary cause cited was the expensive reconstruction of Lubowitz Castle initiated by his mother, rather than his father's business ventures.

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Eichendorff married Aloysia von Larisch in 1815, a union partly intended to help save his family's estate.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Eichendorff married Aloysia von Larisch in 1815, and this union was partly intended to assist in saving his family's estate.

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The death of Eichendorff's mother in 1822 led to the family losing their remaining estates in Silesia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that following his mother's death in 1822, the family lost all of its remaining estates in Silesia.

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Eichendorff died in 1857 from pneumonia in Neisse, Prussian Silesia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff died in 1857 from pneumonia in Neisse, Prussian Silesia.

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Where was Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff born?

Answer: Schloss Lubowitz, Upper Silesia (Kingdom of Prussia)

Explanation: Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff was born at Schloss Lubowitz, located in Upper Silesia, which was then part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

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What was the religious background of Eichendorff's family?

Answer: Roman Catholic

Explanation: Eichendorff's family belonged to the Roman Catholic faith.

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What factor significantly contributed to the financial difficulties faced by Eichendorff's family during his youth?

Answer: The expensive reconstruction of Lubowitz Castle initiated by his mother.

Explanation: The significant financial difficulties faced by Eichendorff's family during his youth were largely due to the expensive reconstruction of Lubowitz Castle initiated by his mother.

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What was the dual purpose of Eichendorff's marriage to Aloysia von Larisch in 1815?

Answer: To fulfill a family obligation and help save the family estate.

Explanation: The marriage of Eichendorff to Aloysia von Larisch in 1815 served a dual purpose: fulfilling a family obligation and aiding in the preservation of his family's estate.

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Literary Works and Themes

Eichendorff's most famous work, *Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts*, explores themes of political revolution and social reform.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff's *Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts* is celebrated for its exploration of themes such as wanderlust, love, and the Romantic ideal of the journey, rather than political revolution or social reform.

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Many of Eichendorff's poems were initially published independently before being incorporated into his larger prose works.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff frequently integrated his poems into his larger prose works, such as novellas, where they often served as lyrical interludes or character expressions.

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Eichendorff's poem *Das zerbrochene Ringlein* was inspired by a successful romantic relationship he experienced in Heidelberg.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. The poem *Das zerbrochene Ringlein* was inspired by Eichendorff's sorrow over an unrequited love for a cellarman's daughter during his student days in Heidelberg.

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Eichendorff's literary works are characterized by a lack of emotional depth, focusing solely on objective descriptions of nature.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff's works are noted for their emotional depth and symbolic engagement with nature, rather than a lack thereof or solely objective descriptions.

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Eichendorff, despite writing about wanderers, personally traveled extensively throughout Europe during his youth.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. While Eichendorff's works feature the motif of the wanderer, he himself was not prone to extensive personal travel in that manner, often undertaking journeys necessitated by his career.

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Eichendorff believed nature was merely a backdrop for human activity, devoid of deeper meaning.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff viewed nature as a 'great picture book' created by God, imbuing it with profound spiritual and symbolic meaning, consistent with Romantic ideals.

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Eichendorff's poetic language was characterized by complex, abstract vocabulary to convey philosophical ideas.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff's poetic language was characterized by simplicity and naturalness, drawing from folk traditions, rather than complex, abstract vocabulary.

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Eichendorff's poetry primarily focused on themes of urban life and industrial progress.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff's poetry primarily focused on themes such as nature, home, wandering, nostalgia, and the passage of time, rather than urban life or industrial progress.

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What is the title of Eichendorff's 1826 novella that explores themes of wanderlust and love?

Answer: Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts

Explanation: Eichendorff's 1826 novella exploring themes of wanderlust and love is titled *Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts* (Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing).

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According to Thomas Mann, what combination characterized Eichendorff's *Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing*?

Answer: The purity of the folk song and the fairy tale.

Explanation: Thomas Mann characterized Eichendorff's *Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing* as a synthesis of 'the purity of the folk song and the fairy tale'.

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How were many of Eichendorff's poems initially introduced to the public?

Answer: As part of his novels and stories, often recited by characters.

Explanation: Many of Eichendorff's poems were initially introduced to the public as integral components within his novellas and stories, often recited by characters within the narrative.

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What event led Eichendorff to express a desire for death in battle in his poem *Das zerbrochene Ringlein*?

Answer: His unrequited love for a cellarman's daughter.

Explanation: Eichendorff's poem *Das zerbrochene Ringlein* expresses a desire for death in battle stemming from his sorrow over an unrequited love for a cellarman's daughter.

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How did Eichendorff express his grief over the high rate of child mortality?

Answer: In the poetry cycle 'Auf meines Kindes Tod' (On My Child's Death).

Explanation: Eichendorff expressed his grief over the high rate of child mortality, a common tragedy of his era, in the poetry cycle titled 'Auf meines Kindes Tod' (On My Child's Death).

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Which character in Eichendorff's work established the 'wanderer' as a significant motif?

Answer: The 'Good-for-Nothing' (*Taugenichts*) character.

Explanation: The 'Good-for-Nothing' (*Taugenichts*) character, central to Eichendorff's work, established the 'wanderer' as a significant motif within his literary output.

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How did Eichendorff's personal travel habits differ from the 'wanderer' motif in his writings?

Answer: He was not particularly prone to hiking and often used coaches or boats for necessary travel related to his career.

Explanation: Eichendorff's personal travel habits differed from the 'wanderer' motif in his writings; he was not particularly prone to hiking and typically used coaches or boats for travel necessitated by his career.

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Which of the following is NOT a primary motif explored in Eichendorff's poetry?

Answer: Urban decay

Explanation: While Eichendorff explored themes such as wandering, nostalgia, and the passing of time, urban decay is not considered a primary motif in his poetry.

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Romanticism and Intellectual Context

Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff is primarily known as a leading figure of the German Realist literary movement.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff is recognized as a preeminent figure of the German Romantic literary movement, not Realism.

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Eichendorff's early education included attending the University of Berlin, where he first encountered Romantic ideas.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff studied in Halle and Heidelberg, cities that were significant centers for Romanticism, rather than Berlin, where he encountered Romantic ideas.

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Joseph Görres, whom Eichendorff met in Heidelberg, was a minor figure in the Heidelberg Romantic group.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Joseph Görres was a prominent figure in the Heidelberg Romantic group and significantly influenced Eichendorff, whom Eichendorff described as a 'formative impression'.

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Friedrich Schlegel and Matthias Claudius were the primary influences on Eichendorff's early artistic development.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. While Matthias Claudius was an early influence, Friedrich Schlegel and Joseph Görres are identified as the primary influences on Eichendorff's early artistic development and his engagement with Romanticism.

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The anthology *Des Knaben Wunderhorn* had little impact on Eichendorff's poetic style or theories.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. The anthology *Des Knaben Wunderhorn* had a significant impact on Eichendorff's poetic style and theories, influencing his use of simple language imbued with deeper meaning.

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The concept of 'emblematics' in Eichendorff's poetry refers to his use of lengthy, narrative descriptions.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. In Eichendorff's poetry, 'emblematics' refers to the use of concise imagery and formulas to convey deeper, symbolic meanings, not lengthy narrative descriptions.

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Eichendorff viewed time solely as a linear progression without any deeper symbolic meaning.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff viewed time as having a metaphysical dimension, imbuing concepts like morning and evening with symbolic associations related to creation and mortality.

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Eichendorff described the Romantic epoch using a metaphor of a slow-moving river, symbolizing its gradual development.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff described the Romantic epoch using the metaphor of a 'magnificent rocket' that sparkled brightly and then exploded into stars, symbolizing its brilliant but perhaps transient nature.

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Which cities were key centers for Eichendorff's immersion in the Romantic movement during his studies?

Answer: Halle and Heidelberg

Explanation: Halle and Heidelberg were key centers for Eichendorff's immersion in the Romantic movement during his university studies.

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Who was Joseph Görres, and what was his significance to Eichendorff?

Answer: A professor in Heidelberg whom Eichendorff considered a 'formative impression.'

Explanation: Joseph Görres was a significant professor in Heidelberg whom Eichendorff met and considered a 'formative impression,' deeply influencing his engagement with Romanticism.

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What concept, influenced by Joseph Görres, did Eichendorff apply to his view of nature?

Answer: Nature as a divine 'picture book' reflecting God's creation.

Explanation: Influenced by Joseph Görres, Eichendorff viewed nature as a divine 'picture book' reflecting God's creation, imbuing it with spiritual significance.

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How did Eichendorff's poetic language reflect the influence of *Des Knaben Wunderhorn*?

Answer: By using simple, natural words imbued with deeper meaning.

Explanation: Eichendorff's poetic language reflected the influence of *Des Knaben Wunderhorn* by employing simple, natural words that carried deeper, connotative meanings.

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What does the concept of 'emblematics' mean in the context of Eichendorff's poetry?

Answer: Employing concise imagery and formulas to convey symbolic meaning.

Explanation: In Eichendorff's poetry, 'emblematics' refers to the strategic use of concise imagery and formulas to convey deeper symbolic meanings.

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How did Eichendorff perceive the concept of time in his poetry?

Answer: As having a metaphysical dimension, with symbolic associations for morning and evening.

Explanation: Eichendorff perceived time not merely as linear progression but as having a metaphysical dimension, associating morning with creation and evening with mortality.

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Despite the mid-19th century trend towards realism, how did Eichendorff's literary style remain consistent?

Answer: He remained dedicated to the symbolic and emblematic world of Romanticism.

Explanation: Despite the mid-19th century trend towards realism, Eichendorff's literary style remained consistent as he stayed dedicated to the symbolic and emblematic world of Romanticism.

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What does the 'magic word' (*Zauberwort*) represent in Eichendorff's poetry, as seen in *Wünschelrute*?

Answer: The poet's ability to reveal the hidden song or meaning within things.

Explanation: In Eichendorff's poetry, particularly in *Wünschelrute*, the 'magic word' (*Zauberwort*) represents the poet's capacity to uncover the inherent song or meaning within all things.

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Eichendorff embraced the Romantic ideal of the 'unity of poetry and life.' What does this suggest about his view?

Answer: Life itself is inherently poetic and infused with meaning.

Explanation: The Romantic ideal of the 'unity of poetry and life,' embraced by Eichendorff, suggests his view that life itself is inherently poetic and infused with profound meaning.

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What metaphor did Eichendorff use to describe the Romantic epoch?

Answer: A magnificent rocket, sparkling brightly before exploding into stars.

Explanation: Eichendorff used the metaphor of a 'magnificent rocket, sparkling brightly before exploding into stars' to describe the Romantic epoch, capturing its brilliance and transformative nature.

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Career and Legacy

Historical evidence strongly supports Eichendorff's active participation in the Lützow Free Corps during the Napoleonic Wars.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Historical consensus largely regards Eichendorff's purported active participation in the Lützow Free Corps as a myth.

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Eichendorff was unable to join the fight against Napoleon in 1813 primarily because he was serving in a diplomatic post abroad.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff was unable to join the fight in 1813 primarily due to a lack of funds for essential equipment like a uniform and weapon, not because he was serving abroad.

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Eichendorff spent his entire career working as a poet and novelist.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff spent a significant portion of his adult life working as a Prussian Government Administrator, in addition to his literary pursuits.

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Eichendorff's literary criticism focused exclusively on contemporary German poetry.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff's literary criticism encompassed a broader range, including the ethics of Romantic poetry, the German novel, and a history of German poetic literature.

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Eichendorff compiled a collection of Upper Silesian fairytales and sagas.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Eichendorff compiled *Oberschlesische Märchen und Sagen* (Upper Silesian Fairytales and Sagas).

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Eichendorff's poetry is rarely set to music, making him unpopular among composers.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. Eichendorff is considered the most popular German poet set to music, with approximately 5,000 musical settings of his poems.

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The literary prize named in Eichendorff's honor is the Goethe-Preis.

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false. The literary prize named in Eichendorff's honor is the Eichendorff-Literaturpreis, not the Goethe-Preis.

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Eichendorff translated works by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Eichendorff translated works by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, including his religious plays.

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Who was Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff and what literary movement is he most associated with?

Answer: A German poet, novelist, and critic, recognized as a major figure of Romanticism.

Explanation: Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788-1857) was a German poet, novelist, and critic, widely recognized as a preeminent figure of the Romanticism literary movement.

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What is the primary reason Eichendorff's participation in the Lützow Free Corps is considered doubtful?

Answer: Historical consensus largely regards it as a myth.

Explanation: The primary reason Eichendorff's participation in the Lützow Free Corps is considered doubtful is that historical consensus largely regards it as a myth.

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In 1813, what practical obstacle prevented Eichendorff from joining the fight against Napoleon?

Answer: He lacked the necessary funds for essential equipment like a uniform and weapon.

Explanation: In 1813, Eichendorff was prevented from joining the fight against Napoleon by the practical obstacle of lacking the necessary funds for essential equipment such as a uniform and weapon.

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What was Eichendorff's primary occupation for most of his adult life?

Answer: Prussian Government Administrator

Explanation: For most of his adult life, Eichendorff's primary occupation was serving as a Prussian Government Administrator.

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Eichendorff's literary criticism included works on which of the following topics?

Answer: The history of German poetic literature and the ethics of Romantic poetry.

Explanation: Eichendorff's literary criticism included works on the history of German poetic literature and the ethical dimensions of Romantic poetry.

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What collection did Eichendorff compile as an anthologist?

Answer: Oberschlesische Märchen und Sagen (Upper Silesian Fairytales and Sagas)

Explanation: As an anthologist, Eichendorff compiled *Oberschlesische Märchen und Sagen* (Upper Silesian Fairytales and Sagas).

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Eichendorff is considered the most popular German poet for what reason?

Answer: His poems have been set to music by approximately 5,000 composers.

Explanation: Eichendorff is considered the most popular German poet for musical setting, with his poems having been set to music by approximately 5,000 composers.

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Which of these composers is mentioned as having set Eichendorff's poems to music?

Answer: Johannes Brahms

Explanation: Johannes Brahms is mentioned as one of the prominent composers who set Eichendorff's poems to music.

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