Abstract
The project investigates the intersections between Jewish and working-class emancipation in German literature from 1830 to 1860, with a focus on the revolutionary period of 1848/49. Employing an intersectional framework, the research explores literary texts by Jewish and non-Jewish authors, analyzing their portrayals of mutual struggles for social and political equality. It sheds light on how literature served as a medium for empathy, critique, and visionary thought during a period of intense societal transformation.
Despite the significant overlap between these movements, their literary dimensions remain underexplored, particularly in the context of 19th-century Jewish writing and its relation to early socialist ideals. This project aims to address these gaps by examining lesser-known authors and works, including those by women. This approach highlights how literature of the time reflected and shaped discourses on emancipation, identity, and belonging.
By revisiting this pivotal historical period through an intersectional lens, the study not only contributes to literary and Jewish studies but also offers insights into broader questions of identity and diversity. It expands the canon of 19th-century literature while fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, bridging historical research with contemporary debates on intersectionality and inclusion.
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