Isschnitt aus: Isschnitt aus:
SH CHRONICLE" SH CHRONICLE"
on. on.
10/31. 10/31.
THE JEWISH CHRONICLE THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 30, 1931 OCTOBER 30, 1931
nature that, at the moment of bis death, it was finding its first nature that, at the moment of bis death, it was finding its first
Obituary. Obituary.
presentation in London; being produced at a private theatre presentation in London; being produced at a private theatre
for members ouly and, without one word of publicity or for members ouly and, without one word of publicity or
DR. A. SCHNITZLER. DR. A. SCHNITZLER.
announcement in the Press, playing nightly to packed audiences. announcement in the Press, playing nightly to packed audiences.
*. *.
Dr. Arthur Schnitzler, the famous Austrian dramatist and Dr. Arthur Schnitzler, the famous Austrian dramatist and
It was not until 1908 that this exquisite electrified It was not until 1908 that this exquisite electrified
novelist, whose death, at the age of sixty-nine, was briefly reported novelist, whose death, at the age of sixty-nine, was briefly reported
even his own bozy of worshippers with his novel, “Tho Road even his own bozy of worshippers with his novel, “Tho Road
to the Open." to the Open."
in our last week's issue, had a distinguished career, first in medicine in our last week's issue, had a distinguished career, first in medicine
In this book, Schnitzler, with his uncanny In this book, Schnitzler, with his uncanny
and then in literature, in which he came to be known as the German and then in literature, in which he came to be known as the German
power of creating atmosphere, presented a lifelike picture of the power of creating atmosphere, presented a lifelike picture of the
De Maupassant. He was born in Vienna in May, 1862, and was the De Maupassant. He was born in Vienna in May, 1862, and was the
rich Jewish professional class, from which he himself had sprung. rich Jewish professional class, from which he himself had sprung.
son of Johann Schnitzler, a Professor of Laryngology, who won con¬ son of Johann Schnitzler, a Professor of Laryngology, who won con¬
The main two characters, George Wergethin and Anna Rosner, The main two characters, George Wergethin and Anna Rosner,
siderable renown, and who made his home a meeting-place for many siderable renown, and who made his home a meeting-place for many
were not Jewish, but they moved in an artistic, Bohemian circle, were not Jewish, but they moved in an artistic, Bohemian circle,
literary, musical aud artistic friends. Thus young Schnitzler had literary, musical aud artistic friends. Thus young Schnitzler had
which was almost exclusively Jewish. The story opens in the which was almost exclusively Jewish. The story opens in the
opportunities for wide discussion and reading. He studied medicine opportunities for wide discussion and reading. He studied medicine
salon of Ehrenberg, a Jewish munition maker. The father salon of Ehrenberg, a Jewish munition maker. The father
at the Vienna University, and, after graduating at the age of twenty at the Vienna University, and, after graduating at the age of twenty
delights in flaunting his Judaism and Zionism at the receptions delights in flaunting his Judaism and Zionism at the receptions
three, went to London where he walked the hospitals in order to three, went to London where he walked the hospitals in order to
given by his wifo and his daughter, Elsa, who fancies herself as a given by his wifo and his daughter, Elsa, who fancies herself as a
gain experience, and later settled in Vienna as a practitioner. Hlis gain experience, and later settled in Vienna as a practitioner. Hlis
patronness of the arts. The son “Oscar” writhes at his father's patronness of the arts. The son “Oscar” writhes at his father's
passion for literature and the drama, however, led him to passion for literature and the drama, however, led him to
malicious delight in speaking Yiddish in front of him. Round this malicious delight in speaking Yiddish in front of him. Round this
devote more and more time to writing and to the production of devote more and more time to writing and to the production of
family the story revolves and every conceivable kind of Jew is family the story revolves and every conceivable kind of Jew is
those plays and books that reveal him as a master of subtle those plays and books that reveal him as a master of subtle
depicted. Tbe chief interest, after the love story of George and depicted. Tbe chief interest, after the love story of George and
and forceful characterisation with the slightest of material for and forceful characterisation with the slightest of material for
Anna, is centred in George's two friends, Heinrich Berman, a Anna, is centred in George's two friends, Heinrich Berman, a
plot. He soon became recognised as a supreme delineator of plot. He soon became recognised as a supreme delineator of
novelist and Leo Golowski, a musician. Leo is an ardent young novelist and Leo Golowski, a musician. Leo is an ardent young
Viennese life and portrayed the gaiety and irresponsibility «f its Viennese life and portrayed the gaiety and irresponsibility «f its
Jewish Nationalist. Ile sees the movement rising as a message Jewish Nationalist. Ile sees the movement rising as a message
pre-war pleasures with u remarkable insight and brilliant irony. pre-war pleasures with u remarkable insight and brilliant irony.
of regeneration for the Jewish people, feels the cry for Palestine of regeneration for the Jewish people, feels the cry for Palestine
Hlis analytical and constructivo mind made his short novels, Hlis analytical and constructivo mind made his short novels,
within him, like an artistic inspiration. But Berman will have within him, like an artistic inspiration. But Berman will have
artistically, the most satisfying of his works. It was said that artistically, the most satisfying of his works. It was said that
none of it. To him all nationalities and all religions are as one. none of it. To him all nationalities and all religions are as one.
Schnitzler's interest in medicine, which he had throughout his career Schnitzler's interest in medicine, which he had throughout his career
le “regards with anger an1 scorn the attempt to collect le “regards with anger an1 scorn the attempt to collect
maintaining a small practice to the end, was less in the science itself maintaining a small practice to the end, was less in the science itself
from all corners of the world, members of a race whose best from all corners of the world, members of a race whose best
than in the light which his study of pathology onabled him to throw than in the light which his study of pathology onabled him to throw
men have always morged into the culture of the land of their men have always morged into the culture of the land of their
on human motives and conduct. A number of Schnitzler's plays have on human motives and conduct. A number of Schnitzler's plays have
adoption, aud te send them to a foreign land, a land to which adoption, aud te send them to a foreign land, a land to which
been produced in London including “Professor Bernhardi," which was been produced in London including “Professor Bernhardi," which was
no home sickness calls them." And George, the Christian, as he no home sickness calls them." And George, the Christian, as he
presented by the Jewish Drama League last March. The deceased, presented by the Jewish Drama League last March. The deceased,
listens to thom, “realises some idea of this people’s mysterious listens to thom, “realises some idea of this people’s mysterious
though he took no active part in Jewish affairs was a proud member though he took no active part in Jewish affairs was a proud member
destiny, which always expresses itself in every one who springs destiny, which always expresses itself in every one who springs
of his race and was keenly interested in the broad aspects of the Jew's of his race and was keenly interested in the broad aspects of the Jew's
from the race, not less in those that try to escape from this origin from the race, not less in those that try to escape from this origin
place in the sccial organisr:. In 1926 he declined to write or speak in place in the sccial organisr:. In 1926 he declined to write or speak in
of theirs, as though it were a disgrace, a fairy tale which did not of theirs, as though it were a disgrace, a fairy tale which did not
Hungary because he refused, on principle, to lecture in a country Hungary because he refused, on principle, to lecture in a country
concern them at all, than in those who obstinately pointed back to concern them at all, than in those who obstinately pointed back to
where, he said, “The White Terror has raged against the Jews and where, he said, “The White Terror has raged against the Jews and
it as though to a piece of destiny, an honour or an historical fact it as though to a piece of destiny, an honour or an historical fact
where anti-Jewish discrimination is still practised." Schnitzler's where anti-Jewish discrimination is still practised." Schnitzler's
based on an immovable foundation. based on an immovable foundation.
attitude to his people can best be summed up in his own words, in an attitude to his people can best be summed up in his own words, in an
In the cbaranter of “ George," Schnitzler, standing outside him¬ In the cbaranter of “ George," Schnitzler, standing outside him¬
interview he recently granted te a forcign newspaper interview he recently granted te a forcign newspaper
self, undoubted, endeevoured to probe his own attitule to the self, undoubted, endeevoured to probe his own attitule to the
To be a Jew is a very fine art. It needs a great deal of ability and To be a Jew is a very fine art. It needs a great deal of ability and
Jewish question, and, four years later, in “ Professor Bernhardi, a Jewish question, and, four years later, in “ Professor Bernhardi, a
much understanding. Many Jews have a habit of constantly proclaiming much understanding. Many Jews have a habit of constantly proclaiming
play which, on account of the religious controversies it raised, was play which, on account of the religious controversies it raised, was
pride in being a Jew. This I detest ; it is as objectionable as the boasting pride in being a Jew. This I detest ; it is as objectionable as the boasting
for years banned in Central Europe, he drew the picture (almost for years banned in Central Europe, he drew the picture (almost
of some people about their greatness. Then again, there are Jews who of some people about their greatness. Then again, there are Jews who
biographical of his father) of a Jewish doctor, who refusing to budge biographical of his father) of a Jewish doctor, who refusing to budge
go to the other extreme of endeavouring to hide their Jewishness. Such go to the other extreme of endeavouring to hide their Jewishness. Such
cowardice is abominable to me. The enlightened Jew—and he is not as cowardice is abominable to me. The enlightened Jew—and he is not as
from what he conceives to be his duty as a physician, finds himself from what he conceives to be his duty as a physician, finds himself
rare as some imagine—stands between these two objectionable extremes. rare as some imagine—stands between these two objectionable extremes.
involved in a political clash, wherein the anti-Semites endeavour to involved in a political clash, wherein the anti-Semites endeavour to
He regards his Jewishness as a natural part of himself, in the same way He regards his Jewishness as a natural part of himself, in the same way
make a scapegoat of him. This play, translated by Hetty Landstone, make a scapegoat of him. This play, translated by Hetty Landstone,
as a man of any other nationality regards himself. Ile is proud of his as a man of any other nationality regards himself. Ile is proud of his
was produced by the Jewish Drama League at the Phoenix Theatre was produced by the Jewish Drama League at the Phoenix Theatre
Jewish heritage but does not advert se the fact. If his people require his Jewish heritage but does not advert se the fact. If his people require his
last March. last March.
assistance, he gives it according to the best of his ability. In other assistance, he gives it according to the best of his ability. In other
words, he is a Jew in deeds and feols Jewish but does not go about words, he is a Jew in deeds and feols Jewish but does not go about
These two works, out of a total of about sixty plays aud novels, These two works, out of a total of about sixty plays aud novels,
advertising it. I have always tried to follow that line with the result advertising it. I have always tried to follow that line with the result
represented Schnitzler's sole incursions into a specifical'y Jewish represented Schnitzler's sole incursions into a specifical'y Jewish
that some have at times accused me of having alienated myself from my that some have at times accused me of having alienated myself from my
field. They stand without rivals, as the most skilful representations field. They stand without rivals, as the most skilful representations
people. Of course it is not true. It is ridiculous to say that I hold myself people. Of course it is not true. It is ridiculous to say that I hold myself
aloof from my people, simply becanse I don't act as an advertising agent aloof from my people, simply becanse I don't act as an advertising agent
of that pre-war Jewish clement in Central Europe, which reigned of that pre-war Jewish clement in Central Europe, which reigned
of Jews. I am as absorbed in Jowis'i problems to-day as ever I of Jews. I am as absorbed in Jowis'i problems to-day as ever I
supreme in art and medicine. From the point of view of literature, supreme in art and medicine. From the point of view of literature,
was. I never forget that first and foremost lam a Jew. My love for was. I never forget that first and foremost lam a Jew. My love for
they are undoubtedly his two greatest works aud, incidentally, the they are undoubtedly his two greatest works aud, incidentally, the
my people has been intensilled by anti-Semitism. . I soon my people has been intensilled by anti-Semitism. . I soon
two in which he himself took the most pride. two in which he himself took the most pride.
became convinced that Jewish life to-day was dominated by two became convinced that Jewish life to-day was dominated by two
factors ; anti-Semitism and Zionism. TTao modern Jew has given up factors ; anti-Semitism and Zionism. TTao modern Jew has given up
Schnitzler never really forgot that he was a Jew, and after “ The Schnitzler never really forgot that he was a Jew, and after “ The
many Jewish traditions, but something vitally Jewish remained in his many Jewish traditions, but something vitally Jewish remained in his
Road to the Open and Professor Bernhardi,” the public could Road to the Open and Professor Bernhardi,” the public could
being ; this something together with tue anti-Jewish elements that are being ; this something together with tue anti-Jewish elements that are
not forget it. When, in 1920, the production of “ Reigen” in Vienna not forget it. When, in 1920, the production of “ Reigen” in Vienna
abroad will always assure the continnity of the Jewish pcople. Anti¬ abroad will always assure the continnity of the Jewish pcople. Anti¬
created an outcry by the Churches; when armed policemen stood created an outcry by the Churches; when armed policemen stood
Semitism, which aims at the destruction of the Jewish people, completely Semitism, which aims at the destruction of the Jewish people, completely
misses its objective. Its victim is not destroyed but, on the contrary, misses its objective. Its victim is not destroyed but, on the contrary,
outside the box office and scrutinised every applicant for seats, it outside the box office and scrutinised every applicant for seats, it
becomes stronger, more resolute and more dignified than ever. As for becomes stronger, more resolute and more dignified than ever. As for
was no shout of high moral purpose which came from the howling was no shout of high moral purpose which came from the howling
Zionism, 1 am interested in it, not merely as a solution to the Jewish Zionism, 1 am interested in it, not merely as a solution to the Jewish
mob of students in the street—it was simply“ Down with the Jews. mob of students in the street—it was simply“ Down with the Jews.
problem, but as a unifying force of Jewry, a force that binds Jews all the problem, but as a unifying force of Jewry, a force that binds Jews all the
world over to strive for a common aim. Whether Zionism will solve the world over to strive for a common aim. Whether Zionism will solve the
Jowish problem or not, the mere striving after a great aim is in itself of Jowish problem or not, the mere striving after a great aim is in itself of
great importance and exercises a tremendous influence on all who work great importance and exercises a tremendous influence on all who work
for the common cause. for the common cause.
The funeral was on Friday last in the Jewish Section of the The funeral was on Friday last in the Jewish Section of the
Vienna Central Cemetery. In accordance with instructions left in Vienna Central Cemetery. In accordance with instructions left in
Dr. Schnitzler’s will, the greatest simplicity was observed. Ie Dr. Schnitzler’s will, the greatest simplicity was observed. Ie
was buried in a grave of honour given by the Jewish Community, was buried in a grave of honour given by the Jewish Community,
but there were no speeches and a short prayer only was recited by but there were no speeches and a short prayer only was recited by
the Cantor. Dr. Schnitzler's will requested that no wreaths should the Cantor. Dr. Schnitzler's will requested that no wreaths should
be placed on the grave aud that no notification of his death should be placed on the grave aud that no notification of his death should