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Theodor Storm's Der Schimmelreiter: A Timeless Tale of Love, Loss, and the Power of Nature

Jason Hayes

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Published in Der Schimmelreiter Rich Linville

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Theodor Storm's Der Schimmelreiter is a classic work of German literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the power of nature. The novel tells the story of Hauke Haien, a dike-reeve who builds a new dike to protect his village from flooding, but who is ultimately defeated by the forces of nature. The novel is a powerful and moving story that has been praised by critics for its lyrical prose and its insights into human nature.

Der Schimmelreiter

by Rich Linville

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14279 KB
Print length	:	53 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Storm was born in Husum, Germany, in 1817. He studied law at the University of Kiel, but soon turned to writing. He published his first novel, Immensee, in 1850, and it was an immediate success. Storm wrote several other novels, as well as short stories and poems. He died in Hademarschen, Germany, in 1888.

Der Schimmelreiter was published in 1888, and it is considered to be Storm's masterpiece. The novel is set in the fictional village of Deichhausen, which is located on the North Sea coast. The village is threatened by flooding, and Hauke Haien is hired to build a new dike to protect it. Hauke is a skilled dike-reeve, but he is also a proud and stubborn man. He refuses to listen to the advice of his fellow villagers, and he builds the dike according to his own plans.

The dike is completed in 1855, and it seems to be strong enough to withstand any storm. However, a few months later, a violent storm hits the village, and the dike is breached. The village is flooded, and many people are killed.

Hauke Haien is found dead on the dike, with his white horse beside him. The horse is said to be the ghost of a drowned dike-reeve, and it is said that Hauke's death was a punishment for his pride. The novel ends with a funeral procession for Hauke, and the villagers singing a song about the power of nature.

Der Schimmelreiter is a powerful and moving story that explores the themes of love, loss, and the power of nature. The novel is a classic work of German literature, and it continues to be read and enjoyed by people around the world.