Hans in the Schnakenloch

Hans im Schnakenloch is a drama by René Schickele that appeared in 1916, but which was written two years earlier. It was premiered on December 17, 1916 in the New Theater in Frankfurt am Main .

action

Hans Boulanger, who was sung about by the Alsatian poet August Stöber as early as 1870 and 1871 and portrayed in the folk play D'r Hans im Schnokeloch by Ferdinand Bastian at the turn of the century, through Schickele becomes an embodiment of the fate of the Alsatian people and takes on autobiographical traits. Boulanger, like the entire Alsatian people, has to choose between Germany and France. He is by nature an insecure and weak-willed person. He always tries to please everyone, but usually hurts everyone in the process. His father's inheritance drove him into poverty through thoughtless investment and expansion, and he kept cheating on his wife.

The outbreak of war divides the family. Boulanger's brother Balthasar opts for the German side, his mother for the French, but prays for him. Hans, who at first alternately helped the German and French soldiers, finally decides in favor of France, given his wife Klär's accusation of opportunism.

literature

• René Schickele: Hans in the Schnakenloch . In: Heinz Ludwig Arnold (Ed.): Kindlers Literatur Lexikon In 18 volumes (volumes 1–17 and a register volume.) No. 16. JB Metzler, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-476-04000-8 , p. 491 -494.