460
THE AMERIGAN HEBREI‘
February 29, 1924
Arthur Schnitzler Foretells Jewish Renaissance
An Exclusive Interview With the Eminent Littérateur
By J. L. BENVENISTT
Mammimmcmmmmmmmnmmmnkamtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmaimmmmmtachittre
E strikes onc
litterateur Schnitzler has drawn with such mas¬
terig and dispassionate accuracy a certain type of
P asa man wlo
AFTIIUR SCHNITZLER, perhaps best
needs all the
central European Jew that I have always main¬
knoten 1o English readers throngh his
force of his personal¬
tained no study of the Jewish question could be
*Anatol“ epele,The Road to the Open.“
ity to keep his over¬
coneidered complete without a perusal of this
Casanoga's Homecoming“ und Dr. Gracs¬
work.
whelming brains quiet.
ler, Klands in the forefront, nol ouly of
That is the dominant
Behrmann is hy no means a perfect being. He
Jereish creative artists, but of ihe creatige
impression I had of
is oversensitive, self-analytical, and, I am very
artists of the world as zcell. His faith,
Arthur Schnitzler
much afraid, inclined to be tactless; yet he is a
therefore, in the coming of a great Jeteish
after twentz minutes
man of real ability and many virtues. Circum¬
artistie renaissance ic a saith zohich must
of the most inspiring
stances have, I think, made Behrmann what he is,
hide pricke and hoße to everp member of
talk 1 have enjoyed
andthough I could not get him to make a definite
the Jereish communilz. Artkur Schnitaler
with ang man in
pronouncement onthe subject, I am inclined to
here zets forth bis zietes on Zionism, anti¬
montlis.
believe that Schnitzler thinks so, too. For I dis¬
Semitism and kindred subjeets
In a way this im¬
cussed Behrmann with Schnitzler just as I would
pression comes as a
ARTHUR SCHNITZLER
discuss a living person. There was nothing in¬
SanepmmanittmgummmmmgmmmmnegnmmmnnnnmmmmmmmmmngmmmmtmmmmmmmE
surprise. For there
Piagzerigkt, Poet, Philesopher
congruous about this, because Behrmann happens
are in Schnitzler's
Physician and Psychologis!
to be alive. Vou will meet his like all over
something to say he waves you off, so to speak,
writings certain quali¬
for a couple of sentences, and then gives you a
Vienna, or, for that matter, with a slightly differ¬
ties of suavity which, like the outward reserve
Traction of a second to leap into the breach. I
ent accent, all over Germany.
of a well-mannered person, are onli the outcome
is like an obliging hus driver slowing down be¬
of good artistic breeding, but which to superficial
tween prescribed stopping places.
4#·THE solution of the Jewish Problem,“ said
people belie the real temperament both of the
As one speaks to him and becomes conscions of
Schnitzler, “is one which cach individual
artist and the man. Even a sympathetic and.
his terrific depth and intensity of feeling, of the
must find for himself. There is no general solu¬
imaginative study of Schnitzler’s works will not
ccaseless mental rush within the man, one forms
tion. Zionism docs not seem to me to be a solu¬
always correct the error, and that is whv I, as“
some conception of the degrec of unrelenting dis¬
deubtless many others have done before me, came
tion at all. It sccms to me too much actuated by
cipline it must cost Schnitzler to be what he is.
eden wepnl#, ½ reschtmam, by a mere desire
to him expecting to find a personality cold, pol¬
namelv, one of the most polisbed and urbane
ished and courteons; a man of uriane skepticiem
#escape Trom onc’s environment and scarcely¬
writers in contemporary Europe. How easily that
ugemtie cieillustonments, a temperamental ag¬
ever to spring from a well-reasoned decision.
quick sensitivity, that overrcady response of the
nostic, chastened of both anger and enthusiasm.
This does not prevent me from admiring Zionism.
heart, might have swamped his judgment and
Of course, all these things are precisely what
admire people who can reach out sc high and
dimmed his taste! If Schnitzler had not been
Schnitzler is not. The first thing that strikes onc
dream so splendidly, but they will never con¬
Schnitzler, he would, one feels (not withont a
about him is a most lovable warmth and impetu¬
vince me.
silent thanksgiving to heaven for a calamity so
ousness. He is both mentally and physically a
nearly averted), have made onc of those prolitic
“I need hardly point out that the Zionist plays
roung man despite his years. His eyc is clear, bis
emotional writers who, despite the presence of
actively into the hands of the anti-Semite. He
complexion rosy, and his gray hair and beard arc
real talent, never rise above the sccond rate in
confesses to a weakness in cur position which, to
shot with streaks of blond. In his mental atti¬
#the artistic hierarchy.
my mind, does not exist. My parents, for in¬
tude Schnitzler is cquallz vouthful. Whaterer
stance, come Trom Hungary, but my desire takes
subject he teuches, he is immediately on fire. His
TIIE truth is that there are two Schnitzlers.
ine back neitherto Hungary nor Palestine. I am
whole heart is in his talk, and he spends himself
1 Phere is the einotional Schnitzler with the
rooted here in Vienna, my home and the home of
in it as recklessly as a boy of eighteen.
irresistible crcative inner urge; then there is his
my vouth. T have grown up identifying myself
mentor-warder and familiar spirit, the critical
with its highly individual culture. T am part of it,
* ]·OL’ND Schnitzler in his little house in the
Schnitzler, and it is by a collaboration of the two
and it is part of me. Why should I leave this
ruburbs of Vienna, in itself no mean achieve¬
separate individuals that Schnitzler’s works come
ment Cünding him. I mean), for Schnitzler is one
country becausc a few ignorant and ill-bred fools
into being. This critical Schnitzler, 1 don't mind
of the most seught-after people in Europe and
of anti-Semites tell me I do not belong here?
telling von, is a devil ef a fellow. He is per¬
has more or less to barricade himself against in¬
Do I believe that there is a basic individual
sistent, waketul and utterig unrelenting. Even in
truders. Schnitzler had broken off some dictation
lewish character apart from certain traits which
his own domain, having no other object for his
to come dorn to me, and had to rub his eyes a
cnvironment has forced upon it? That is a diffi¬
furg, he turns and laccrates himself.
little, so to speak, before he could launch out on
cult question and yet I should, if anything, be in¬
When 1 attempt any sort of critical or reflec¬
the new topie. Also he seemed at first dieinelined
clined to a negative answer. 1 do not believe that
tire writing,“ said Schnitzler.“ am half strangled
to grant the interview.
the Jew is essentially spiritually different or that
be mg own parentheses.
never give interviews,“ he said."AllI have
there is a difference of spiritual rhythm between
I remember thinking at the time that God had
to say on the Jewish question is in my book, er
him and the Gentile. The attitude of the world
originally intended Schnitzler for a sort of an
Ie In's Freic'“ (The Road tothe Open).
towards him has produced certain psychological
Upton Sinclair, and then at the last minute
Herr Doctor.“ I said,“I have not read Der
modifications. Take away this attitude, and those
changed bis mind. In other words, Schnitzler is
Ueg In'e Freie' once but ihree times, and it is to
moditications will vanish. I believe that if achild
oue of thöse not altogether cnviable individuals
discues that bock 1 have come to gon.' Where¬
of Jewish parentage, even of the humblest sort,
whose judgments and eritical faculty never have
upon an extraordinarily swect smile illuminated
were to be taken to another country, kept in
a holiday. It is a heavy price to pay, but in
Schnitzier’s facc.
Schnitzler’s case the game is worth the candle.
ignorance of its origin (though I am far from
*Von are perg Hattering.“ he said, and motioned
That Schnitzler should have had plenty to say
recommending such a course as a 'solution’ of the
me t# a scat. And quite suddenlg we were chat¬
on the Jewish question was ouly to be expected.
Jewish question), and if that origin were also
#ling at ninety miles an hour.
Tie has written abont it enough. Professor
kept from its associates, this child would grow up
Talking to Schnitzler is a delighiful business.
Bernhardi' touches it. The immortal ineffable
absolutely unconscions of a difference between
The scntc of grace and form so perceptible in bis
Leutnant Gusti' is full of it. But, above all,
itself and its playmates, except perhaps that it
beck: is evident in his talk and bearing, despite
*er 1eg in's Preie' is remarkable for its bril¬
might develop and become aware of a kcener and
bis rehemence and ready enthusiasm. Hie has
liant, 1 might almost say its brutal, treatment of
(Coneinded on hage 474)
ameng other things a perfect genius for letting
this suhject. In Heinrich Behrmann the Jewish
himself b#e interrupted. II he secs von hare
THE AMERIGAN HEBREI‘
February 29, 1924
Arthur Schnitzler Foretells Jewish Renaissance
An Exclusive Interview With the Eminent Littérateur
By J. L. BENVENISTT
Mammimmcmmmmmmmnmmmnkamtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmaimmmmmtachittre
E strikes onc
litterateur Schnitzler has drawn with such mas¬
terig and dispassionate accuracy a certain type of
P asa man wlo
AFTIIUR SCHNITZLER, perhaps best
needs all the
central European Jew that I have always main¬
knoten 1o English readers throngh his
force of his personal¬
tained no study of the Jewish question could be
*Anatol“ epele,The Road to the Open.“
ity to keep his over¬
coneidered complete without a perusal of this
Casanoga's Homecoming“ und Dr. Gracs¬
work.
whelming brains quiet.
ler, Klands in the forefront, nol ouly of
That is the dominant
Behrmann is hy no means a perfect being. He
Jereish creative artists, but of ihe creatige
impression I had of
is oversensitive, self-analytical, and, I am very
artists of the world as zcell. His faith,
Arthur Schnitzler
much afraid, inclined to be tactless; yet he is a
therefore, in the coming of a great Jeteish
after twentz minutes
man of real ability and many virtues. Circum¬
artistie renaissance ic a saith zohich must
of the most inspiring
stances have, I think, made Behrmann what he is,
hide pricke and hoße to everp member of
talk 1 have enjoyed
andthough I could not get him to make a definite
the Jereish communilz. Artkur Schnitaler
with ang man in
pronouncement onthe subject, I am inclined to
here zets forth bis zietes on Zionism, anti¬
montlis.
believe that Schnitzler thinks so, too. For I dis¬
Semitism and kindred subjeets
In a way this im¬
cussed Behrmann with Schnitzler just as I would
pression comes as a
ARTHUR SCHNITZLER
discuss a living person. There was nothing in¬
SanepmmanittmgummmmmgmmmmnegnmmmnnnnmmmmmmmmmngmmmmtmmmmmmmE
surprise. For there
Piagzerigkt, Poet, Philesopher
congruous about this, because Behrmann happens
are in Schnitzler's
Physician and Psychologis!
to be alive. Vou will meet his like all over
something to say he waves you off, so to speak,
writings certain quali¬
for a couple of sentences, and then gives you a
Vienna, or, for that matter, with a slightly differ¬
ties of suavity which, like the outward reserve
Traction of a second to leap into the breach. I
ent accent, all over Germany.
of a well-mannered person, are onli the outcome
is like an obliging hus driver slowing down be¬
of good artistic breeding, but which to superficial
tween prescribed stopping places.
4#·THE solution of the Jewish Problem,“ said
people belie the real temperament both of the
As one speaks to him and becomes conscions of
Schnitzler, “is one which cach individual
artist and the man. Even a sympathetic and.
his terrific depth and intensity of feeling, of the
must find for himself. There is no general solu¬
imaginative study of Schnitzler’s works will not
ccaseless mental rush within the man, one forms
tion. Zionism docs not seem to me to be a solu¬
always correct the error, and that is whv I, as“
some conception of the degrec of unrelenting dis¬
deubtless many others have done before me, came
tion at all. It sccms to me too much actuated by
cipline it must cost Schnitzler to be what he is.
eden wepnl#, ½ reschtmam, by a mere desire
to him expecting to find a personality cold, pol¬
namelv, one of the most polisbed and urbane
ished and courteons; a man of uriane skepticiem
#escape Trom onc’s environment and scarcely¬
writers in contemporary Europe. How easily that
ugemtie cieillustonments, a temperamental ag¬
ever to spring from a well-reasoned decision.
quick sensitivity, that overrcady response of the
nostic, chastened of both anger and enthusiasm.
This does not prevent me from admiring Zionism.
heart, might have swamped his judgment and
Of course, all these things are precisely what
admire people who can reach out sc high and
dimmed his taste! If Schnitzler had not been
Schnitzler is not. The first thing that strikes onc
dream so splendidly, but they will never con¬
Schnitzler, he would, one feels (not withont a
about him is a most lovable warmth and impetu¬
vince me.
silent thanksgiving to heaven for a calamity so
ousness. He is both mentally and physically a
nearly averted), have made onc of those prolitic
“I need hardly point out that the Zionist plays
roung man despite his years. His eyc is clear, bis
emotional writers who, despite the presence of
actively into the hands of the anti-Semite. He
complexion rosy, and his gray hair and beard arc
real talent, never rise above the sccond rate in
confesses to a weakness in cur position which, to
shot with streaks of blond. In his mental atti¬
#the artistic hierarchy.
my mind, does not exist. My parents, for in¬
tude Schnitzler is cquallz vouthful. Whaterer
stance, come Trom Hungary, but my desire takes
subject he teuches, he is immediately on fire. His
TIIE truth is that there are two Schnitzlers.
ine back neitherto Hungary nor Palestine. I am
whole heart is in his talk, and he spends himself
1 Phere is the einotional Schnitzler with the
rooted here in Vienna, my home and the home of
in it as recklessly as a boy of eighteen.
irresistible crcative inner urge; then there is his
my vouth. T have grown up identifying myself
mentor-warder and familiar spirit, the critical
with its highly individual culture. T am part of it,
* ]·OL’ND Schnitzler in his little house in the
Schnitzler, and it is by a collaboration of the two
and it is part of me. Why should I leave this
ruburbs of Vienna, in itself no mean achieve¬
separate individuals that Schnitzler’s works come
ment Cünding him. I mean), for Schnitzler is one
country becausc a few ignorant and ill-bred fools
into being. This critical Schnitzler, 1 don't mind
of the most seught-after people in Europe and
of anti-Semites tell me I do not belong here?
telling von, is a devil ef a fellow. He is per¬
has more or less to barricade himself against in¬
Do I believe that there is a basic individual
sistent, waketul and utterig unrelenting. Even in
truders. Schnitzler had broken off some dictation
lewish character apart from certain traits which
his own domain, having no other object for his
to come dorn to me, and had to rub his eyes a
cnvironment has forced upon it? That is a diffi¬
furg, he turns and laccrates himself.
little, so to speak, before he could launch out on
cult question and yet I should, if anything, be in¬
When 1 attempt any sort of critical or reflec¬
the new topie. Also he seemed at first dieinelined
clined to a negative answer. 1 do not believe that
tire writing,“ said Schnitzler.“ am half strangled
to grant the interview.
the Jew is essentially spiritually different or that
be mg own parentheses.
never give interviews,“ he said."AllI have
there is a difference of spiritual rhythm between
I remember thinking at the time that God had
to say on the Jewish question is in my book, er
him and the Gentile. The attitude of the world
originally intended Schnitzler for a sort of an
Ie In's Freic'“ (The Road tothe Open).
towards him has produced certain psychological
Upton Sinclair, and then at the last minute
Herr Doctor.“ I said,“I have not read Der
modifications. Take away this attitude, and those
changed bis mind. In other words, Schnitzler is
Ueg In'e Freie' once but ihree times, and it is to
moditications will vanish. I believe that if achild
oue of thöse not altogether cnviable individuals
discues that bock 1 have come to gon.' Where¬
of Jewish parentage, even of the humblest sort,
whose judgments and eritical faculty never have
upon an extraordinarily swect smile illuminated
were to be taken to another country, kept in
a holiday. It is a heavy price to pay, but in
Schnitzier’s facc.
Schnitzler’s case the game is worth the candle.
ignorance of its origin (though I am far from
*Von are perg Hattering.“ he said, and motioned
That Schnitzler should have had plenty to say
recommending such a course as a 'solution’ of the
me t# a scat. And quite suddenlg we were chat¬
on the Jewish question was ouly to be expected.
Jewish question), and if that origin were also
#ling at ninety miles an hour.
Tie has written abont it enough. Professor
kept from its associates, this child would grow up
Talking to Schnitzler is a delighiful business.
Bernhardi' touches it. The immortal ineffable
absolutely unconscions of a difference between
The scntc of grace and form so perceptible in bis
Leutnant Gusti' is full of it. But, above all,
itself and its playmates, except perhaps that it
beck: is evident in his talk and bearing, despite
*er 1eg in's Preie' is remarkable for its bril¬
might develop and become aware of a kcener and
bis rehemence and ready enthusiasm. Hie has
liant, 1 might almost say its brutal, treatment of
(Coneinded on hage 474)
ameng other things a perfect genius for letting
this suhject. In Heinrich Behrmann the Jewish
himself b#e interrupted. II he secs von hare