Schnitzler's Century

Description:

Schnitzler's Century reassesses nineteenth-century history and traces the dramatic rise of the middle class. We have always believed that corseted Queen Victoria defined the mores of the nineteenth century. Yet cultural historian Peter Gay asserts in this work that it is the sexually emboldened Viennese playwright, Arthur Schnitzler, who provides a better symbol for the age. Challenging many sacrosanct notions about middle-class prudery and hypocrisy, he shows that in important ways, the Victorians were not Victorians. Gay chronicles the rise of modernity in countries as diverse as Germany and Italy, England and the United States, and in doing so presents a century filled with science and superstition, revolutionaries and reactionaries, and eros and anxiety -- an age that made us largely what we are today. - Publisher.

subjects: Middle classes,  Nineteenth century,  Social life and customs,  Intellectual life,  Modern Civilization,  Civilization,  Middle class,  Schnitzler, Arthur, 1862-1931,  History,  Civilization, modern, 20th century,  Civilization, modern, 19th century,  Middle class, europe,  Europe, social life and customs,  Europe, intellectual life,  Europe, civilization, history,  New York Times reviewed,  Manners and customs,  Bürgertum,  Kultur,  Mittelstand,  Cultuurgeschiedenis,  Burgerij,  Bourgeoisie,  Moeurs et coutumes,  Vie intellectuelle,  Civilisation,  Europa,  Literary criticism,  European

People: Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931)

Places: Europe

Times: 19 century,  19th century,  20th century