| Abstract: | Heinrich Heine and Friedrich Nietzsche are two of the most enigmatic and influential writers of the 19th Century. These men were critical of various customs and practices in their respective German societies and their distaste for German society compelled them to critique German culture. Their overwhelmingly negative writings on Germany have influenced many of their readers to consider them to be “anti-Germans.” The evaluation of these men as “anti-Germans” is given further credibility by their numerous positive writings regarding France. One must keep in mind, however, that these writers’ affinity for the French does not make them “anti- German.” Heine and Nietzsche played the so-called “French card” in order to effect change within Germany, they hoped that by showcasing the cosmopolitan society of the French, the Germans would be influenced to adopt similarly inclusive membership practices. While it is true that Heine and Nietzsche favored Napoleon, French notions of culture, and France’s rejection of an ethnically based community, they did not, in fact, hate Germany or Germans. On the contrary, they believed Germany to be brimming with potential. Despite this belief, however, they were disheartened by what they considered to be reticence on the part of the German people. In essence, these writers believed the people to be wasting potential and in light of the ecumenical values these two men held so dear, they considered this unacceptable. Their polemics against Germany do not make them “anti-Germans;” but rather concerned writers who desperately wanted to see Germany achieve all they believed she was capable. Heine and Nietzsche were cosmopolitan in spirit, but always German at heart. Their preoccupation with critiquing Germany in hopes of improving her suggest that they cared deeply for Germany, not only because of their interest in bettering the whole of the human species, but also because Germany was their homeland and despite their exiles and criticism of it, they believed in her potential. |
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