For the first time, analysis of Theodor Storm’s wide use of symbolism, together with his astonishing skills as a wildlife expert and folklorist, illuminates what a profound effect these have on his landscapes.

Storm (1817-88) is considered to be one of the most important figures of German realism.

Nature focused

His bifocal view of nature permeates his narrative fiction with few exceptions.

Much of his narrative technique compares very favorably with that of his English contemporary, Thomas Hardy.

Prevailing Storm scholarship has for the most part neglected and disparaged all attempts to recognize the important role of animals and wildlife in Storm’s fiction and verse, with one or two notable recent exceptions, all in spite of their significance throughout European and North American literature.

Author Dr. David Artiss is a retired member of Memorial’s Department of German and Russian (now the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures).

Theodor Storm Symbolism: Reading Storm’s Landscapes is available on Amazon. He has previously published Theodor Storm: Studies in Ambivalence. Symbol and Myth in his Narrative Fiction (German Language and Literature Monographs).

Theodor Storm Symbolism: Reading Storm’s Landscapes is published by Tellwell Talent.