Historical Context
As the nineteenth century dawned, Europe embarked on a bold journey into the heart of industrialization. This era of transformation was heralded as the keystone for economic evolution, promising brighter prospects for individual, economic, and national welfare. Yet, for this industrial revolution to flourish, sacrifices in production were demanded, casting shadows on many cherished aspects of life. In the early twentieth century, the relentless pursuit of efficient transport, swift industrial expansion, and the flood of consumer goods began to erode both community spirit and environmental well-being. Meanwhile, a burgeoning population swelled the cities, fueling the rise of bustling factories and colossal enterprises dedicated to churning out goods in staggering volumes.
Rainer Maria Rilke, observing these upheavals with a critical eye, chose to forsake the withering artistic circles of Europe, seeking instead the allure of a more romantic and idealistic life in Russia. His insights proved prophetic. As industrialization tightened its grip, communities slowly yielded to the overpowering allure of financial gain. Yet amidst this shifting landscape, many artists and writers remained in Europe, their creativity ignited by the sweeping changes, crafting remarkable works that both critiqued and celebrated the technological and economic strides of the era.
In Russia, accompanied by his confidante Lou Andreas-Salome, Rilke immersed himself in the mystic depths of the peasantry's spirituality. To him, their perception of divinity—seeing God in each other and in the mundane—was profoundly captivating. Furthermore, his encounter with Leo Tolstoy left an indelible mark. Tolstoy held that art’s true purpose was to convey emotions, whether joyous or sorrowful, through vivid depictions of the tangible world. This philosophy shaped Tolstoy’s writing style, marked by simplicity, meticulous structure, and a profound grasp of the human condition. Enriched by Russian mysticism and Tolstoy's influence, Rilke began to weave emotions into his work through evocative imagery, discovering an authenticity in objects that deeply ingrained itself in his literary style.
Upon returning to Europe, Rilke's perspective shifted. He realized industrialization hadn't obliterated community, but rather compelled individuals to choose between nurturing human connections or pursuing economic achievements. Resolute in his choice to embrace art and literature, Rilke became part of an artist colony in Worpswede, surrounding himself with fellow artists, thinkers, and writers.
Despite a life fraught with financial challenges, Rilke pursued what he truly craved—a haven for his writing and a perpetual thirst for the company of kindred spirits. European industrialization had birthed a divide between the wealth it generated and the enrichment it bestowed upon humanity. Without the momentum of industrial progress, Europe risked stagnation. Yet, without the tireless artisans and writers who, against the tide of industrial dogma, continued crafting works of emotional and palpable beauty, the essence of humanity would have been lost forever.
Literary Style
Mood
In “Childhood,” Rilke wields the brush of impressionism to paint the intricate tapestry of emotions. His vivid portrayals of fountains, ponds, gardens, and the innocent frolic of tag games transcend mere description, evoking rich, subjective impressions. The child's profound discontent with his education is described as a "waiting, with endless dreary things," while his sorrow at departing from playmates is likened to "ever more escaping grasp of things." Rilke boldly inscribes his work alongside the luminaries of his age, such as T.S. Eliot and James Joyce, with his distinctive, impressionistic style.
Contrast
Rilke deftly highlights the dissonance between the enchanting moments of youth and the underlying turmoil that shadows them. One moment finds the child engulfed in anxiety and loneliness, yet soon he is swept away in wild abandon, playing exuberantly, "blindly and wildly." The swift transition from an inexplicable sadness to the simple...
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joys of observing a dog, a house, and other children is stark. Through this interplay of the child's inner struggles and outer experiences, Rilke delves deep into the essence of his own childhood.
Imagery
Rilke's vivid images serve as the scaffolding for his emotional exploration of childhood. This imagery ignites the essential feelings within his narrative. A lackluster depiction of the child's environment would reduce Rilke's profound emotions to uninspiring words. It is the electrifying visions of bustling streets, splashing fountains, and softly dimming gardens in “Childhood” that empower Rilke's expressions of solitude, anxiety, fear, and despair.
Compare and Contrast
1904: Amidst the roaring engines of the industrial revolution, where progress and efficiency reigned supreme, France boldly institutes a ten-hour workday.
Today: In stark contrast to the United States with its traditional 40-hour workweek, France pioneers a more relaxed 32-hour week.
1903: The Russian Social Democratic Party fractures into the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The Mensheviks advocate for a post-czarist society led by the middle class, envisioning a future where the working class gradually gains recognition. Conversely, the Bolsheviks insist that true revolution demands the leadership of the proletariat, rejecting any dominance by the bourgeoisie.
Today: Following the collapse of communism in the twilight years of the twentieth century, Russia, though not without its challenges, emerges as a democracy. It embraces a free market and a host of newfound freedoms, a testament to its transformation.
1903: At Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers usher in a new era as they achieve humanity's inaugural flight.
Today: At every minute of the day, an array of airplanes soar from thousands of airports worldwide. Air travel has become a ubiquitous means, bridging continents and cultures, and making the vast world more accessible than ever before.
Media Adaptations
Andrew Toovey’s captivating album, Juniper Tree, launched by Largo Records in the year 2000, unfolds as a mesmerizing chamber opera inspired by the enchanting tales of the Brothers Grimm. The musical journey concludes with the evocative interpretation of four works by the illustrious poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Rilke: Selected Poems presents an unabridged auditory experience of Rainer Maria Rilke’s eloquent poetry. Released in 1988, this audiocassette, brought to life by the narration of Stephen Mitchell, can be accessed through Audio Literature for those eager to immerse themselves in Rilke's timeless verses.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Sources
Fülleborn, Ulrich, “Foreword” in Rilke: The Alchemy of Alienation, edited by Frank Baron, Ernst S. Dick, and Warren R. Mauer, The Regents Press of Kansas, 1980, pp. xv.
Hass, Robert, "Looking for Rilke" in The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Stephen Mitchell, Vintage, 1989, pp. xi-xliv.
Raffel, Burton, The Art of Translating Poetry, The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1988.
Further Reading
Fanning, Steven, Mystics of the Christian Tradition, Routeledge, 2001. Fanning explores a wide array of mystic phenomena and the lives and teachings of many mystics. Most importantly to Rilke, Fanning explores the mystics of Russian churches.
Gass, William H., Reading Rilke: Reflections on the Problems of Translation, Basic Books, 2000. Gass offers great insight not only into problems with translation, but the impact history, art and Rilke’s upbringing had on his writing and philosophies.
House, John, Impressionism: Paint and Politics, Yale University Press, 2004. The impressionist movement had an amazing impact on Rilke’s poetry and philosophy. House’s book explores the way art and politics evolved during this influential time in Europe’s social and artistic history.
Leppmann, Wolfgang, Rilke: A Life, Fromm International Publishing Corporation, 1984. Rilke's life, and the cultural background of his time, is presented thoroughly in what is considered to be one of the most comprehensive biographies of Rilke yet written.
Tolstoy, Leo, What is Art?, Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Company, 1994. Tolstoy had an incredible impact on Rilke when they met at the beginning of the twentieth-century. This essay from Tolstoy addresses and explores many of the same questions of strife that infected Rilke’s mind and poetry.
