The book explores the cultural and literary developments in Denmark from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. It discusses the rise of realism and naturalism in Danish literature, and how these movements influenced the work of writers such as Jens Peter Jacobsen and Georg Brandes. The text also examines the impact of urbanization and industrialization on Danish society and culture, and how this is reflected in the literature of the time. The author argues that the growing middle class and the emergence of a more secular society led to changes in the way people thought about themselves and their place in the world. Throughout the book, Boysen draws on a wide range of sources, including literary texts, historical documents, and cultural artifacts. He provides detailed analyses of key works and authors, as well as broader discussions of the social and cultural context in which they were written. The book is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Danish literature during this period. The author begins by discussing the early 19th-century writers who laid the groundwork for the realist movement, and then moves on to examine the work of key figures such as Jacobsen and Brandes. Boysen also explores the ways in which Danish literature was influenced by European trends and movements, including Romanticism and Symbolism. He argues that these influences helped to shape the unique characteristics of Danish literature during this period, and that they continue to be felt today. The book concludes with a discussion of the legacy of Danish literature from this period, and how it continues to influence contemporary writers and readers.
By Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen · First published 1925 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Cultural History, Biography