Showing results for "Adelbert von Chamisso" in Literary History & Criticism

Peter Schlemihl is an ordinary man until one day he bargains with the devil: He trades his shadow for a bottomless purse. While this sounds like a good idea at first, it turns out that having no shadow is considered to be so strange by society, that even unlimited wealth cannot repair such a fault. The story of Peter Schlemihl is exceedingly well-known even today, but the original text is not so widely-read as it once was. This very accessible translation by F.H. Hedge may be a good introduction to modern listeners. - Summary by Carolin

In Peter Schlemihl, the luckless hero enters into a deal with a mysterious stranger, only to learn, that he dealt with the proverbial. He soon discovers that wealth can't buy respectability. It’s a tale as darkly funny as it is sharp, reminding us that some things in life (like dignity and not creeping people out) are priceless. - Summary by Antipode