The Gawk by Berthold Auerbach (1876)

Name: The Gawk
Author: Berthold Auerbach

A satirical novel that critiques the social and political climate of 19th century Germany. The story follows a group of intellectuals who are invited to a remote estate for a weekend retreat, only to find themselves trapped in a web of intrigue and deception. Through their experiences, Auerbach satirizes the hypocrisy and pretension of the upper classes, as well as the limitations of intellectualism in addressing social issues.

By Berthold Auerbach · First published 1876 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama · 9,665 words

First lines

I see you now, my fine fellow, as large as life, with your yellow hair cropped very short, except in the neck, where a long tail remains as if you had cut yourself after the pattern of a plough-horse. You are staring straight at me with your broad visage, your great blue goggle eyes, and your mouth which is never shut. Do you remember the morning we met in the hollow where the new houses stand now, when you cut me a willow-twig to make a whistle of? We little thought then that I should come to pipe the world a song about you when we should be thousands of miles apart. I remember your costume perfectly, which is not very surprising, as there is nothing to keep in mind but a shirt, red suspenders, and a pair of linen pantaloons dyed black to guard against all contingencies.

What this Textopian page supports

The Gawk is listed on Textopian as a novella by Berthold Auerbach, dated 1876 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: Berthold Auerbach
Date: 1876 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Romanticism
Length: 9,665 words
Structure: 1 section, 124 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Gawk by Berthold Auerbach
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Gawk?
How does this novella by Berthold Auerbach fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fiction — Berthold Auerbach is known for his work in fiction. Without specific details about 'The Gawk', it is safe to consider it to be a work of fiction based on general knowledge about the author's other works.
Historical Fiction — Berthold Auerbach has written numerous works of historical fiction. Though specifics about this book are unknown, based on trends in the writer's other works, there's potential that this book falls into that genre as well.
Drama — Given that much of Auerbach's work incorporates elements of drama, 'The Gawk' might contain similar components and thus can be categorized under this genre.
Romanticism — Considering Auerbach's body of work and the period in which he was writing, elements of Romanticism could be present in 'The Gawk'.