Hans Joggeli the hereditary cousin
Hans Joggeli der Erbvetter is a short story by Jeremias Gotthelf that was written in 1846 and published in Berlin in 1848.
shape
For a long time, the reader is in the dark. Only towards the end of the story does Gotthelf tell who the farmer Hans Joggeli from the Bern region was: “A father of the poor with advice and action”. The reader doesn't notice anything at all until the end, but keeps following how Joggeli mischievously and cunningly fends off the intrusive relatives who are all after the legacy of this rich farmer. The bachelor Joggeli has no siblings, just countless cousins, bases and godparents.
The old judge, a friend of the now deceased Joggeli, sheds light on his behavior during his lifetime with an explanation: Joggeli “sifted people until he had in the house who was decent, loyal and dear to him”. Only his two relatives Bäbeli and Benz did not fall through the sieve. Gotthelf also hides their mutual affection to the end.
content
The Kirchmeier Hans Joggeli owns the farm in Nidleboden. His cousin Mareili, who wants to inherit, commands his goddaughter Bäbeli. A “scoundrel”, also from the group of cousins whom Joggeli has already chased away, is in love with Mareili. The farmer disgusts this relationship. So he sends Mareili to Switzerland . Far away from the Nidleboden, she should learn the foreign language and how to cook. Joggeli is very satisfied with Bäbeli, the loyal maid. Another representative of the “greedy Basenschaft”, the Grauechbäurin, arrives with her daughter Lisabethli. According to the will of the wicked mother, Lisabethli should take the place of Bäbeli. A deceit, which Grauechbäurin cleverly spun against Bäbeli, is thwarted by Joggeli. Before that he had already put his cousin Hansli, a determined bachelor, in his place. He wanted to cheat cousin Benz, to whom Joggeli had entrusted the stables for years.
When the farmer comes to an end, he can no longer resist visiting relatives. So he instructs his doctor to defend himself against cousins and bases: “I do not love crackdown. It is my business to quietly discourage one's hand. ”After Joggeli - who has no relatives - has passed away peacefully, cousin Hansli steps in and finally wants to inherit properly. The old judge leads the regiment on the Nidleboden until the will is opened and is not impressed. Apart from the godfathers, “all the poor people in the community” are invited to the funeral . Gotthelf writes that behind the coffin there was "a double relationship, one relationship through love, one through blood".
Bäbeli inherits the farm. Benz is disappointed. He was fobbed off with money. While “the poor and infirm” were given generous consideration, the rest of the family almost got nothing. Cousin Hansli protests, but then quickly turns around. He now wants to free Bäbeli. However, it turns out differently.
The old judge is looking for Benz in the farmhouse. He finally finds him in the room. Bäbeli and Benz stand hand in hand. “That's exactly what my blessed friend wanted,” says the old man happily. He advises the couple to get married immediately. Bäbeli resists in vain. Joggeli's will is done. The comment Gotthelf's " arrogance , arrogance , laziness are not already returned, but love and loyalty , diligence and devotion ."
Quote
- "Anyone who has one foot in the grave is no longer allowed to lie."
reception
- Batt aptly calls the happy ending “grandiose folk fairy tale finale”: The “clan of devious legacy sneaks” goes empty-handed and is ashamed.
- According to Fehr, Joggeli has become “mature and wise” over the years. So it would not be surprising that “there is also an intellectual property to manage” on the Nidleboden. Joggeli had chosen the two heirs in such a way that there was hope that “the spirit of Christian responsibility” would “live on” on this farm.
literature
First edition
- Jeremias Gotthelf: Hans Joggeli the hereditary cousin. Harzer Hans, also a hereditary cousin. Two stories for the people. 140 pages. Volkshandlung of the general German folk writing association. M. Simion and Julius Springer, Berlin 1848
Used edition
- Hans Joggeli der Erbvetter pp. 227-315 in: Library of German Classics . Henri Poschmann: Gotthelfs Works. In two volumes . Vol. 1. Aufbau-Verlag Berlin 1982 (3rd edition). Text basis: Gotthelf Complete Edition by Rudolf Hunziker and Hans Bloesch (Munich 1911) and the 20-volume edition by Walter Muschg (Basel 1948)
expenditure
- Jeremias Gotthelf: Hans Joggeli the hereditary cousin. 84 pages. Good writings, Basel around 1940
Secondary literature
- Kurt Batt (Ed.): Jeremias Gotthelf. Stories. 537 pages. Dieterich'sche Verlagbuchhandlung , Leipzig 1965 (Licensor: Birkhäuser Basel)
- Karl Fehr : Jeremias Gotthelf. Poet and prophet - narrator and educator. On language, poetic art and the content of his writings . 262 pages. Francke Verlag, Bern 1986, ISBN 3-317-01611-6