Various authors (Dromel, Lorenz, Petersen, Wechssler, Pinder, Drerup, Mannheim, and so on) have addressed the theme of the generations, but it is Ortega y Gasset who must be recognized for having established in his theory of generations the key to understanding the intrinsic movement of the historical process. (31) 

In: Historiological Discussions

Silo, Chapter 3: History and Temporality, 3.2 Horizon and Temporal Landscape

Eduard Wechssler (1869 - 1949)

Topics

German-French relations and differences in character

Wechssler's central concern was the definition of German identity in comparison to France. His most influential work on this was ‘Esprit und Geist’ (1927), in which he examined the ‘characteristics’ of the Germans and the French. However, this work was criticised as ‘racist’ and chauvinistic.

Generation theory

In ‘Generation as a series of youth and their struggle for the form of thinking’ (1930), Wechssler dealt with generational forms of thinking and their change. He argued that each generation develops a new ‘form of thinking’ and is in a ‘struggle’ with the previous generation.

Medieval literature and culture

Wechssler's early works were devoted to medieval literature, especially Minnesang. His major work on this was ‘Das Kulturproblem des Minnesangs’ (1909).

Romance literatures

As a Romance scholar, Wechssler was intensively involved with Romance literatures, especially French literature from the Middle Ages to the modern era. He gave numerous lectures on this topic.

Major works

• The Legend of the Holy Grail in its Development up to Richard Wagner's Parsifal, 1898, reprinted 1966;

• Molière as Philosopher, 1910, ²1915;

• The German intellectual engagement with the French Enlightenment (1732–1832), in: DVjS 1, 1923, pp. 613–35;

• Eros and Minne, in: F. Saxl (ed.), Vortrr. d. Bibl. Warburg, 1923, pp. 69–93;

• German and French Mysticism, Meister Eckehart and Bernhard of Clairvaux, in: Euphorion 30, 1929, pp. 40–93;

• Dante the Universal Thinker, in: Dt. Dante-Jb. 1931, pp. 45–133;

• The Generation as a Youth Series and its Struggle for the Form of Thought, 1930;

• Jugendreihen d. dt. Menschen 1733–1933, 1934;

• Das Prinzip d. geistigen Ordnung in der kastilian. Lit. u. Kunst, in: Marburger Jb. f. Kunstwiss. 13, 1944, pp. 69–84;

Influence

• Wechssler's major work ‘Esprit und Geist’ (1927) on the differences in the nature of Germans and Frenchmen was very influential, but was also criticised as ‘racist’ and chauvinistic.

• His writing ‘Die Generation als Jugendreihe’ (1930) dealt with generational forms of thinking and stimulated many discussions, but fell short of its ambitious goals.

• Wechssler tried to analyse the German-French relationship from a spiritual and psychological perspective, which earned him accusations of incitement and closeness to Hitler.

• Wechssler was an unpopular figure in the post-war period and was criticised for his jingoism and his alleged racism.

• Overall, Wechssler exerted a formative, if controversial, influence on Romance studies and literary studies in the first half of the 20th century through his academic teaching, his influential theoretical writings and the controversial debates around his works.