Arthur Schnitzler: innovative
Viennese writer and inventor of the stream of consciousness
technique
Arthur Schnitzler
(1862 - 1931)
Arthur Schnitzler is one of Austria's
literary heavyweights. He received extensive training in medicine
and was especially interested in psychology, an interest that
influenced his writing a great deal. A contemporary of Sigmund
Freud, Schnitzler was impressed by the idea of a repressed
unconscious. His prose "Leutnant Gustl" (Ensign Gustl)
wass written in stream of consciousness technique and
was published in 1900, well before James Joyce wrote his 'Ulysses'.
His plays 'Reigen' and 'Liebelei' are possibly
his best known works and scandalized the Vienna of the 1920's
with a honest depiction of the lax moral manners behind a conservative
surface. The characteres are types rather than individuals.
In 'Reigen' they do not have names but are called after their
function husband, wive, young man, sweet girl and so
on. In all scenes two figures are clearly stating their amorous
intentions. One figure is passed on to the next scene, until
the last figure meets the first. Exactly as in dancing a round
dance, a 'Reigen'.
By the way, the sweet girl ('das süße Mädel')
is typical for the Viennese popular theater.
Arthur Schnitzler's view of the world and of society was critical
and not very optimistic. Due to this, his writing met with heavy
criticism.
His prose 'Traumnovelle' was taken up by Hollywood's dream engine
and turned into a major movie starring Nicole Kidman and Tom
Cruise and directed by Stanley Kubrik. The name of the movie?
Eyes Wide Shut.
