Wilhelm Hauff: Life and Creativity

Compared with the other storytellers, Wilhelm Hauff and his works are not very well known to us. Of course, this does not apply to his masterpieces of literature for the youngest - "Dwarf Nose" and "Little Flour". A more sophisticated reader will probably remember the Caliph-aist and the Cold Heart. Wilhelm Hauf, in addition, managed to write a novel on the historical theme "Liechtenstein" (for which he was compared with Walter Scott), created satirical works, novels, poems, etc.

early years

Undoubtedly, the first thing that catches your eye when you get acquainted with the biography of this German writer is its brevity. Wilhelm Gauf lived for 24 years, although his life was quite happy, without excessive love torment and participation in duels.

A storyteller appeared in 1802. The first life test of the boy was the death of his father, who was imprisoned for an unfair charge of preparing a mutiny. It is believed that this biography will later be reflected in the tale "Little Muck". Wilhelm Hauf after the incident moved to the house of his grandfather. There, the boy was first educated - in an old library among dozens of shelves.

Studying at the University

A future storyteller at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy was trained. Naturally, the young man did not seek to become a pastor. He did not differ in special humility, but always was in his soul a bully, a rebel. He even organized the Order of the "torchbearers," wore several extravagant red pants and even did not fail to repaint the feet of St. George (that is, his statues). The reason why Wilhelm Hauf chose this particular direction of study was old as poverty - poverty. A full-fledged education in the family of the future writer could allow only one child. It was not William, but his older brother. And only study at the theological faculty in those days presupposed a scholarship.

As a writer

After leaving the alma mater, the young man hired a tutor in one of the houses. Visits to Paris, Brussels, Bremen - these and other trips managed to make Wilhelm Hauf. The stories he composed especially for the children of Baroness von Hegel forced the writer to believe in his strength and release the "Almanac ..." in 1826.

However, the debut in the art of words was by no means a collection of fairy tales. Before that, the novel "Man from the Moon" was published, and this feather sample, I must admit, caused a slight scandal. The fact is that Wilhelm Hauf published his book under the name of one popular in those days fiction writer, whose prose served as an example of tasteless literature. However, it was popular, which means that when readers saw the familiar name on the cover, they did not hesitate to buy "Man from the Moon". And what was the indignation of the public when she discovered an unfamiliar reading, and an ironic parody of him! Hauff was exposed, he was ordered to pay a fine. So what, but he became a real celebrity!

After the publication of two "Almanacs ..." (the third was published after the writer's death), Wilhelm Hauf continues to work. He creates poems, short stories, becomes the editor of the "Morning Leaflet" and ... marries a cousin whom he has long loved.

"Almanac of fairy tales"

Alas, when the young man was just beginning to develop life, cruel fate decided to send him typhoid fever - so ended his path, Wilhelm Hauf. Fairy tales form the basis of his creative heritage, and therefore they should be analyzed first. They are distinguished by a complex plot, and the motives for the behavior of the characters can be revealed by another novel. Thus, the narrative in "The Cold Heart" unexpectedly breaks, so that after another story again to continue.

Another peculiarity of fairy-tale prose of Hauf lies in its stylistic design. Readers, most likely, know that initially the writer was guided by oriental traditions (like "Thousand and One Nights"), but then began to use European folklore. Meanwhile, despite the huge role of fiction in the genre of fairy tales, Gauf sought to make it more realistic, which coincided with the creative quest of his older contemporary - Hoffmann. The creator of the "Golden Pot" and "Little Tsahes" he is inferior in depth of imagination, but to build an elegant openwork thread of the story of William is much better.

"The moral of this fable is this ..."

Along with the artistic peculiarities of Hauf's fairy tales, one should not fail to note their great educational significance. One of the main messages of his prose - the need to tolerate other people, even if they seem funny or strange. Any rudeness in their address is fraught with consequences. It's not for nothing that all the misadventures of the protagonist from the "Dwarf Nose" happened when he insulted the witch. However, having himself been in the skin of a freak, the boy managed to become better, more benevolent. Another important message is in the fairy tale Cold Heart. Let the Glass Man bestow on Peter Munch almost inexhaustible wealth, the latter has never brought joy. "Not in money happiness" - a somewhat wiped out truth Gauff reported in the original art form.