Dynastic Imagination: Family and Modernity in Nineteenth-Century Germany

The book "The Dynastic Imagination" by Adrian Daub explores how modern German intellectual history was shaped by the persistence of the dynastic imagination, despite efforts to reject hierarchical authority. Daub argues that the nuclear family was central to modernity, but the dynastic imagination continued to influence German literature and culture, critiquing the conservatism and temporal limits of the nuclear family. He demonstrates how remnants of dynastic ideology persisted in the works of Richard Wagner, Émile Zola, Stefan George, and Sigmund Freud, shaping modern intellectual history at every stage of cultural progression.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 29 January 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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The Dynastic Imagination provides an intriguing perspective on modern German intellectual history by examining the roles of family and kinship. Modernity sought to undermine the influence of dynastic authority and create a new society through the mechanisms of marriage, sibling relationships, and love. Essentially, it revolved around the nuclear family. However, as Adrian Daub demonstrates, the dynastic imagination persisted, eventually evolving into a critical lens that exposed the conservatism and temporal boundaries of the nuclear family.

Daub's study delves into the intricate interplay between dynasties and the formation of national identity in Germany. He highlights how a persistent fascination with dynastic modes of explanation, legitimacy, and organization permeated German literature and culture throughout the twentieth century. By synthesizing the literature, sciences, and history of ideas, Daub constructs a comprehensive understanding of dynasty that extends into the modern era.

As early modernism emerged as a critical stance against the nuclear family, remnants of dynastic ideology continued to hold sway over various figures in the fields of literature, science, and psychology. Richard Wagner, Émile Zola, Stefan George, and Sigmund Freud are among the notable figures who were influenced by dynastic ideas at different stages of cultural development. Daub's analysis reveals how the relationship between dynasties and nuclear families shaped modern intellectual history at every juncture.

The Dynastic Imagination offers a fresh and insightful approach to understanding the complex dynamics of power, family, and culture in modern Germany. By exploring the enduring influence of dynastic ideas, Daub sheds light on the ways in which historical legacies continue to shape contemporary thought and society. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of intellectual history and will interest scholars and students alike.

\n Weight: 396g\n
Dimension: 229 x 153 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226737874\n \n