"..aus dem Schiffbruch des irdischen Lebens": The literature of Karoline von Günderrode and early German romantic and idealist philosophy

Due, in large part, to her unfortunate suicide, Karoline von Günderrode (1775-1806) has been portrayed as a victim of her times. By appreciating the quality and uniqueness of her contributions to German culture, a much different view of the writer emerges. Her Studienbuch constitutes a running dialogue with some of the most influential theoreticians of her time. She created an impressive body of literature, which shows her mastery of language, form, and action. It is especially in the area of mythology that she excels. Her suicide should be interpreted in her own terms. For Günderrode, death meant new life.