Gerhart Hauptmann: Die Weber. Schauspiel aus den vierziger Jahren. Die Handlung behandelt die sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Konflikte der schlesischen Weber im 19. Jahrhundert und thematisiert den Kampf um Gerechtigkeit und die Auswirkungen der Industrialisierung auf das Leben der Arbeiter.
Unsuccessful in his ambitions, the young and naive Peter Schlemihl seals a pact with the Devil in which he exchanges his shadow for the purse of Fortunatus, thereby gaining everlasting riches. But when he is ridiculed, persecuted, and hated for being different from other men, he realizes that poverty is easier to bear than the loss of his peace of mind. Originally written as a cautionary tale for the children of Chamisso s patron, this amusing and poignant tale was hailed by contemporaries as a masterpiece with a wide adult appeal."
Briefe von Ernst Stern 1933 - 1938