The Autobiography of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Vol 1 Third Book part 2
Channel: Craig Campbell
Date: 2013-08-25

Autobiography Truth And Fiction Relating To My Life Vol. 1 Third Section (Count Thorane)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfort on August 28, 1749 and died in 1832. His parents were citizens of that imperial town, and Wolfgang was their only son. His father was born on July 31, 1710. He married, on August 20, 1748, at the age of thirty-eight, Catherine Elizabeth Textor. Catharine's father was a lawyer and young Johann was expected to be a lawyer too. In December, 1750, was born a daughter, Cornelia, who remained until her death, at the age of twenty-seven, her brother's most intimate friend. She was married in 1773 to John George Schlosser. Goethe's education was irregular. French culture gave at this time the prevailing tone to Europe. Goethe could not have escaped its influence, and he was destined to fall under it in a special manner. In the Seven Years' War, which was now raging, France took the side of the empire against Frederick the Great. Frankfort was full of French soldiers, and a certain Comte Thorane, who was quartered in Goethe's house, had an important influence on the boy. This reading covers the year 1759 in Frankfurt am Main in Germany where the French king's lieutenant, Count Thorane, has made the home of Johann Caspar Goethe his headquarters. The preface was written by Thomas Carlyle and he as well as Henry W. Longfellow, Sir Walter Scott, Bayard Taylor, John Oxenford worked to translate the works of Goethe into English.

The question Goethe posed to his literary critics and sensors was, "Can you separate truth from poetry or fiction in my writing. Even his autobiography is a very good blend of both. There are some very valuable truths woven into some fantastic events that may or may not have actually taken place. Many books are like that until an interpreter comes along and says, "This is what the book means!" Or, "This book has no meaning!" Or "Don't read any book but mine!"

Here is the link to the whole book.
 http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5733/pg5733.html