The Elective Affinities

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

1963-01 · Newcomb Livraria Press

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A new 2023 translation into modern American English of Goethe's 1809 "Die Wahlverwandtschaften". Elective Affinities is a sweeping romantic novel that explores the idea of human relationships and attraction, using the concept of chemical affinity as a metaphor. "Elective Affinities" is a Newtonian concept describing the attracting of atoms to form molecules. The novel tells the story of two couples, Eduard and Charlotte, and Ottilie and the Captain, whose lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. Goethe uses the novel to explore the nature of love and desire, and how they can be influenced by social conventions and expectations. The novel was controversial at the time for idea of free will in matters of the heart. This edition contains an Afterword by the Translator, a Timeline of Goethe’s Life & Works and a Glossary of Philosophic Terminology used by Goethe.

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One of the core writers of German Romanticism, Goethe was German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic, Goethe is considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era, next to his friend Schiller. His works, including "Faust," "The Sorrows of Young Werther," and "Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship," have influenced various literary movements. NApolean, whom Goethe met, loved his novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther". Goethe also knew Hegel and Feuerbach personally. Goethe's ideas on color theory and plant morphology also contributed to the development of various scientific fields.