Sohnschaft in Der Krise: Zu Ludwig Hohls Notiz “Der Verlorene Sohn”

Author: Enklaar Jattie

Source: Neophilologus, Volume 89, Number 2, April 2005 , pp. 287-298(12)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The Swiss author Ludwig Hohl (1904–1980), whose 100^th birthday was commemorated this year on April 9^th, is a well-known “Randgänger” in twentieth century German literature. His sharp and biting analytic texts and aphorisms provoked many a reaction. In this article a text from his Notizen, elucidating his view of life as “Außenseitertum” by means of the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, is scrutinized and placed within a wider literary context. In comparison to texts written by André Gide, Rainer Maria Rilke and Franz Kafka, each of whom also used the parable of the Prodigal Son as a starting-point, one can conclude that this theme, so popular with writers, not only illuminates modernistic thinking, but also clearly demonstrates that Ludwig Hohl is most severe as a writer in his aphoristic commentaries. His conclusion is radical: “Und wäre er wenigstens nicht wiedergekehrt-“

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11061-004-5660-1

Affiliations: 1: Jattie Enklaar, Muurhuizen 11, 3811 EC, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Email: jattie.enklaar@let.uu.nl

Publication date: 2005-04-01