the life and works of sascha schneider - ETD - Louisiana State ...

Perhaps the most critical explanation for the near cult following of Karl May’s
novels is the consistency of the hero. Near the end of the nineteenth century a sense of
restlessness permeated the nation, and the sentiment of the average German citizen was
one of unease. Mimicking reality in his stories, May’s characters are also caught in
various states of instability and upheaval. These situations are where the hero thrives.
May’s leading role is not only physically strong and adept for most situations, he is also
brilliant and a keen judge of character. While the literary critic might find the
unwavering strength and aptitude of the protagonist of these stories too predictable to be
interesting, the average German citizen looking for stability found comfort in the
consistency. These heroes were able to resolve conflicts and return order to mayhem,
often times abandoning strength and brutality in favor of wit and logic. 38
May acted as an “armchair traveler,” describing what others had seen despite
never having gone to the places he wrote about. However, this lack of travel experience
did not deter him from attempting to imbue his writing with a sense of legitimacy.
Although he wrote purely fictional works for his audience, many of his narratives were
based loosely on facts. 39 This approach cultivated a writing style supported his secondhand
claim to authenticity. May even included footnotes in his travel narratives, to give
38
George L. Mosse, The Image of Man: The Creation of Modern Masculinity (New
York: Oxford University Press, 1996), 112-113, 138-139. Mosse states: “they are
singularly peaceful, the hero, Old Shatterhand, is strong and manly, but he avoids a fight
if at all possible. Old Shatterhand conquers the prairie not by Fire and sword but with due
regard for law and order. When he has defeated an evildoer, he does not kill him but
brings him before a judge. May believed in the survival of the fittest and that the weak.
must be subordinate to the strong. … May’s novels are marked by Pietistic traditions that
serves to soften the cruelty that at times informs his triumphant heroes.”
39
One of the most scandals aspects of Karl May’s life was his purchased PhD. He
obtained a doctorate degree from a “degree mill” in called “The Chicago University in
Germany.” He began illegally attaching PhD to his name in 1903, regardless of the fact
that he did not earn this title.
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