The course explores the styles of modern German prose writings. We will focus on works by Heinrich von Kleist and the modernists Robert Walser and Franz Kafka, who were equally influenced by Kleist. The three authors address key issues of modern life, mobility, and the uncertainty of knowledge. Furthermore, their self-reflexive works provide insights into the constitution of fictional works.

Through close readings of the texts, we will gain a deeper understanding of style as an integral component of literature and language. The works will also be situated in their historical context, i.e. the enlightenment/romanticism and literary modernism. Our readings will showcase different short prose forms as well as excerpts from longer stories and novels. At the end of the semester, we will analyze a film adaptation.