Der Struwwelpeter

Der Struwwelpeter is a German children's book written by Heinrich Hoffmann. First published in 1845, it comprises ten illustrated and rhymed stories, mostly about children. Each story has a clear moral that demonstrates the disastrous consequences of misbehavior in an exaggerated way. The title of the book translates to "Shaggy-Peter" in English.

History

Heinrich Hoffmann was a German psychiatrist, who wrote Der Struwwelpeter when he couldn't find a suitable children's book for his three-year-old son for Christmas. The original title was Funny Stories and Whimsical Pictures with 15 Beautifully Coloured Panels for Children Aged 3 to 6. It was later changed to Der Struwwelpeter after one of its characters.

Stories

The book contains ten stories. Each story is in rhymed couplets, a format known as rhymed verse. The stories are rich in moral lessons, teaching children about the consequences of bad behavior.

Some of the notable stories include:

• Struwwelpeter: The story of a boy who never cuts his nails or hair.
• Die Geschichte vom bösen Friederich: The story of a violent boy who harms animals and people.
• Die gar traurige Geschichte mit dem Feuerzeug: The story of a girl who plays with matches and burns to death.

Influence and Legacy

Der Struwwelpeter is one of the most popular books in Germany and has been translated into several languages. It has influenced many authors and has been adapted into various formats, including films and plays.

Criticism

While Der Struwwelpeter is popular, it has also been criticized for its violent content and the harshness of its moral lessons. Some critics argue that the book uses fear to teach children about the consequences of bad behavior.

See Also

• Children's literature
• German literature
• Heinrich Hoffmann

References

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