Western Civilization II / Unit 10 WC2 0907 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Folk Movement: The Grimms and Invented Traditions
Captions available
The idea
Romantics went looking for national character among the common people, gathering folk songs and tales in the early nineteenth century. The Brothers Grimm, philologists and collectors, the witness's dictionary-makers, found a German soul in songs and language before any Germany existed.
In practice
Tartans and the Kalevala: traditions invented for identity.
Where people slip
The anchor says early eighteenth century; the Grimms published eighteen twelve.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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