From Struwwelpeter to Politics

Abstract

This project will examine the change from the children’s book Struwwelpeter, written in 1845 by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann, to the political satire written by Edward Harold Begbie in 1899 known as The Political Struwwelpeter and how it is used. Hoffmann’s book Struwwelpeter contains stories and illustrations for children and their parents and was created by the author to substitute the lack of children’s books. The book was intended to be used by parents to teach children moral lessons and good behaviors. In Begbie’s The Political Struwwelpeter, the targeted audience becomes the people of Great Britain in 1899 as it makes fun of the country’s social and political landscape. This project aims to examine the shift from children’s literature into a political satire and highlight the similarities and differences by comparing the texts and illustrations from both works. This project will also investigate the different cultures and symbols of Great Britain and Germany and examine how the different cultures affects Begbie’s interpretation of Struwwelpeter. This project will also examine the political and social landscape of Great Britain in 1899 to provide context for The Political Struwwelpeter’ s illustrations and stories.