The functions of non-Christian symbols and characters in the novellas of Conrad Ferdinand Meyer

The aim of this thesis is to identify non-Christian symbols and characters in Conrad Ferdinand Meyer's novellas and to interpret their functions in each work. Relatively little criticism has been written on the topic; the majority of the interpretations of the novellas concentrate on classical allusions.

Meyer not only makes ample use of the symbols and figures from classical antiquity, especially from Greek and Roman mythology, but he also employs symbols and characters from a variety of religious traditions, such as Islam, animism, Judaism, and mysticism. In some cases, where he simply alludes to a particular figure or element in order to enhance the language or to create a striking image, they have a minor impact. Two examples are Plautus im Nonnenkloster and Angela Borgia. In others, wherein he combines non-Christian symbols and characters with Christian ones to create a tension within a character or situation, they play a more significant role. Such is the case in Der Heilige or Die Richterin.

The thesis is divided into eight chapters. Chapters 1 through 7 focus on one novella each as follows: Das Amulett; Der Schuß von der Kanzel; Plautus im Nonnenkloster; Die Richterin; Der Heilige; Die Hochzeit des Mönchs; Angela Borgia.

Chapter 8 covers four novellas which contain relatively few non- Christian symbols or characters: Jürg Jenatsch; Gustav Adolfs Page; Das Leiden eines Knaben; Die Versuchung des Pescara.