Two Plays of Weimar Germany: Youth Is a Sickness and Criminals

Ferdinand Bruckner is a lesser-known German playwright from the Weimar era who is now recognized as a significant figure in the country's literary history. Two of his most well-known plays, "Youth Is a Sickness" (1924) and "Criminals" (1926), are being published in an updated translation that will be valuable to scholars and readers interested in understanding his legacy. These plays reflect Bruckner's interest in themes such as the fate of Germany, humane values, and the past, present, and future of a troubled century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2018
Publisher: Northwestern University Press

In the vibrant city of Weimar Berlin, a theater-goer would be hard pressed to name the best living German playwright. The answer would undoubtedly be Ferdinand Bruckner, a name that may be unfamiliar to many. If asked about this enigmatic figure, the Berliner would struggle to provide any information.

Bruckner's journey as a playwright began to gain recognition in the late 1920s with the publication of his first two plays, "Youth Is a Sickness" and "Criminals." These works were highly sought after, but it took some time for the pseudonymous author to be identified. Despite his obscurity, Bruckner has continued to be an understudied figure in the Weimar era.

"Youth Is a Sickness" (1924) is a poignant portrayal of the "lost generation" that emerged during the first World War. Born in the aftermath of destruction and devoid of hope and ideals, these young individuals were lost in a world of sex, drugs, and juvenile derangement. The play is a compact and claustrophobic study of the inner struggles of these young people, who are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.

On the other hand, "Criminals" (1926) is a panoramic survey of social interaction and legal injustice in the Weimar Republic. The play's unique format consists of a three-story apartment building and a Palace of Justice with four courtrooms, where simultaneous action allows for ironic comment on the various cases that unfold. The central example is a murder case in which fate allows a slick "ladys man" to go to the gallows. Other cases involve homosexual blackmail, a failed double suicide, theft, and abortion.

This updated translation of two of Bruckner's most well-known plays is a definitive edition for scholars and readers interested in better understanding his legacy. With an introduction and annotation by renowned theater and German scholar Lawrence Senelick, these two plays will position Bruckner as a prime example of what we now call a "public intellectual," a man whose life was devoted to reflecting on the fate of Germany and humanity.

Bruckner's plays are a testament to his ability to capture the essence of the human condition and the social and political climate of his time. They offer a unique perspective on the struggles and complexities of the Weimar era, a period marked by immense change and uncertainty. By reintroducing Bruckner's plays to a wider audience, we hope to shed light on his contributions to German literature and theater and to encourage further exploration of his work.

Weight: 294g
Dimension: 202 x 128 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780810137721