Chapter 1
- Describe the beginning elements of the story. What are the main topics?
- Why does the father want him to leave?
- How does he feel when he leaves home?
- Compare the beginning of the story with the beginning of fairy tales. Which fairy tales do you know that start with the protagonist(s) leaving the parental home?
- Analyze the principal themes in the song and watch them throughout the story.
- What is the meaning of the "journey" ? Do you know other works of literature where journeys are important? (Hint: Greek mythology)
- What encounters does the Taugenichts make? What are their characteristics?
- Can you find opposite concepts in the story (e.g. night vs. day, dark vs. light)?
- What is the Taugenichts' disposition or temperament?
- Is the Taugenichts' mood influenced by outside influences?
- What is the meaning of the castle? Why does he not stay in a cottage or a hostel?
- Why does the Taugenichts accept the offer? Does this make him happier as on the first page?
- What kind of inhabitants does the castle have?
- What are the Taugenichts' reactions to the situation?
- Does the Taugenichts have problems distinguishing between dream and reality?
- What kind of love does the song invoke?
- What do the proverbs signify in this context?
- What is "morning" indicate?
- How does the Taugenichts act towards the lovely lady?
- Why is he afraid? Does this shed any light on his character?
- What other themes accompany the Taugenichts' idea of the beautiful woman?
- How do you interpret the passage about the folk song sung by peasants?
- What is typical "romantic" about the story. Is Eichendorff aware of these romantic themes? Does he use them in a particular fashion?
- Why does the love song end sadly?
- What is the Taugenichts relationship to the castle folk?
- How does his mood at the end of the chapter compare with the beginning? Can you find key words or phrases to describe both? What do they mean?
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Chapter 2
- Are there any other heroes in world literature that the Taugenichts could be related to?
- Why did the Taugenichts become a "Zolleinnehmer?" How does it compare with his old job?
- Why does the Taugenichts get rid of the vegetables in his garden?
- Why does he get angry at the doorman?
- Interpret the encounter with the lovely lady. Why does she react like she does?
- Why is he worried about his idleness? What is really bothering him?
- How does his need to travel return?
- How do you interpret the Kammerjungfer looking at him strangely?
- What comedic elements can you find in this passage?
- How do interpret the Taugenichts falling down to the ground?
- Flowers mean the lovely lady to the Taugenichts. Why is this important to him?
- Are any of the elements in this scene symbolic?
- What does the Taugenichts mean by "Spektakel?" What went wrong?
- Why does the Taugenichts feel like a "night owl in the ruins of his happiness?"
- What significance does God have in this passage? In the whole story?
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Chapter 3
- Why does the Taugenichts leave? Compare this to his first departure.
- Why does the Taugenichts want to go to Italy?
- Interpret the Taugenichts' dream? How does it relate to his life?
- What does the violin have to do with "Gottes Führung?"
- How do the people react to the music?
- What does the encounter with the girl signify?
- Comment on the encounters the Taugenichts has had? Can you find common characteristics?
- Why is the Taugenichts unhappy again? What happens?
- Is it significant that the characters are related to the castle again?
- Who are the painters? How do they interact with the Taugenichts?
- Characterize Guido, is there anything strange about him?
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Chapter 4
- Describe the journey. What motifs can you come up with? What is the Taugenichts' relationship to the painters?
- What does the Taugenichts experience at the inn? Interpret the encounter with the "Männlein."
- Does the Taugenichts enjoy Italy?
- What atmosphere does Guido's song reflect?
- What has happened for Leonhard and Guido to leave? Speculate.
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Chapter 5
- What is different about this part of the journey?
- What problems does he run into?
- Describe the new castle. What characters are there? What does it look like?
- How is the Taugenichts received in the new castle?
- Describe the chamber that the Taugenichts receives?
- What or whom does he see reflected in the mirror?
- Why does the old woman call him "poverina"?
- How does the Taugenichts perceive the situation? Is he aware of what is going on?
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Chapter 6
- What are the basic themes of the story as they appear in this passage? Can you trace them throughout the text?
- Are there any explanations about the strange situation in the castle?
- Why does he feel like a enchanted prince?
- Why does he experience discomfort when he is idle?
- How does the Taugenichts feel about the places he has been?
- How do you interpret the letter from the lovely lady? Was her name mentioned in the text before? Is this important?
- Describe she change of atmosphere (happiness, fear etc.) throughout the text.
- Why does the Taugenichts throw a chair?
- Is the student really insane? What does the cursing mean? Does it have any significance for the Taugenichts?
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Chapter 7
- How does the Taugenichts experience Rome?
- Describe the Taugenichts emotions in this passage and how they relate to reality.
- Why does the painting have a religious subject? Does this affect the Taugenichts?
- Who does the Taugenichts confuse here?
- What does it mean that the painter is there again?
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Chapter 8
- Interpret the encounter with the Kammerjungfer.
- The Taugenichts falls down again. Interpret this situation. Can you find parallels in the story?
- Who is the woman that he mistakes for his lovely lady? What does the Kammerjungfer tell him?
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Chapter 9
- What does the Taugenichts say about Italy? Where does he go next?
- What does the Taugenichts say about his occupation?
- What does the Taugenichts say about educated people and how does he identify with them?
- Interpret the revelation about the doorman's relations? Can you chart up the relations in the story?
- Speculate about the "heimliche Liebschaft" and the wedding.
- How does Eichendorff use songs during the story? What are their subjects? When do they occur?
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Chapter 10
- Why is the "Freischütz" (an opera) mentioned here?
- Interpret Leonhard's speech. What does this say about the Taugenichts' journey?
- What role does music play during the story?
- How does the story end? Is this surprising?
- Interpret his plans to go to Italy after the wedding.
- Discuss the genre of the story. Compare it to other works you know.
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