Johannes Bobrowski und Arno Schmidt: Parallel Lives?

Johannes Bobrowski and Arno Schmidt: Parallel Lives? The article focuses on biographical and literary affinities between two of the most important authors of twentieth-century German literature. This can also be of interest to an English reading public, as both of them are very widely translated into this language, Schmidt even with his „untranslatable“ monster Bottom’s Dream [German original Zettel’s Traum] (which, though, remains outside of the scope of the present paper). So do not hesitate to read the above essay if it is not beyond your linguistic capacities. Important parallels are: Both were born in now no longer German-speaking regions in the East. Both were averse to main-stream literati and literary-traditions. Both wrote in uncommon, experimental style, Schmidt underlining this attitude by typographical experiments. Both were able to transform ordinary reading matter into important complex texts, establishing them as modern classics.

Johannes Bobrwoski und Arno Schmidt wurden kaum parallel gestellt. Ihre literarischen Leben liefen jedoch zeitlich erstaunlich parallel. Auch stammen beide aus den ehemals deutsch(sprachig)en Ostgebieten. Ihre Buchbestände/Bibliotheken verblüffen jedoch durchaus auf den zweiten Blick: Der bekennende Christ (DDR-CDU-Mitglied) Johannes Bobrowksi hat kaum christliche Literatur, der Avantgardist Arno Schmidt hat massenhaft schlesische Heimatliteratur. Über beide Aspekte lohnt es sich, in Zukunft mehr nachzudenken.