Karl Adolph Gjellerup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karl Adolph Gjellerup
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Karl Adolph Gjellerup
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| Born | 2 June 1857 Roholte vicarage at Præstø, Denmark |
| Died | 11 October 1919 (aged 62) Klotzsche, Germany |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Notable awards | Nobel Prize in Literature 1917 (shared) |
Karl Adolph Gjellerup (born June 2, 1857 – died October 11, 1919) was a writer from Denmark. He wrote poems and novels. In 1917, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature along with another Danish writer, Henrik Pontoppidan. Gjellerup was part of a time in Scandinavian literature called the Modern Breakthrough. This was when writers started exploring new ideas and real-life topics. Sometimes, he used the pen name Epigonos.
Contents
Who Was Karl Gjellerup?
Early Life and First Books
Karl Gjellerup was born in a small village in Zealand, Denmark. His father was a vicar, but he passed away when Karl was only three years old. Karl was then raised by his uncle. He grew up in a home that loved Danish history and romantic ideas.
A big part of Gjellerup's life was his love for German culture. He felt very drawn to Germany, and his wife was German. In 1892, he moved to Germany permanently. This made him unpopular in Denmark. As years went by, he strongly supported Germany, even during World War I.
Some of Gjellerup's early important books include:
- Germanernes Lærling (1882): This novel means The Germans' Apprentice. It's a bit like his own story. It's about a young man who changes from being a religious student to someone who loves German ideas and doesn't believe in God.
- Minna (1889): This book looks like a love story. But it's more about understanding how women think and feel.
- Møllen (1896): This novel, meaning The Mill, is a dark story. It's about love and jealousy, with lots of drama.
Later Works and Buddhist Ideas
In his later years, Karl Gjellerup became very interested in Buddhism and Asian culture. This influence showed up in his writing.
- Der Pilger Kamanita (1906): This book, also known as The Pilgrim Kamanita, is one of his most famous. It tells the story of Kamanita, a merchant's son from India. He goes on a journey through life, facing good and bad times. He meets a monk who is secretly Gautama Buddha. After Kamanita dies, he is reborn and eventually seeks Nirvana. In Thailand, which is a Buddhist country, a Thai version of this book was even used in school textbooks!
- Den fuldendtes hustru (1907): This is a play written in verse. It means The wife of the perfect. It's about Buddha's early life as Siddharta. His wife, Yasodhara, tries to stop him from reaching his spiritual goals.
- Verdensvandrerne (1910): This long novel means The world roamers. It starts with a German woman studying in India. But the story jumps through different times. Characters relive past events, showing how souls might travel from one life to another.
- Rudolph Stens Landpraksis (1913): This book means The country practice of [physician] Rudolph Sten. It is set in the countryside of Zealand, where Gjellerup grew up. The main character, a doctor, changes from a carefree young man to a more serious person who is dedicated to his work. This story might show how Gjellerup himself changed over time.
- Das heiligste Tier (1919): This was Gjellerup's last book, meaning The holiest animal. It's a funny story about animals going to their own heaven after they die. These animals include Cleopatra's snake, Odysseus' dog, and Jesus' donkey. They all discuss which animal is the holiest. They choose Buddha's horse, Kantaka, but it has already left to follow its master to nirvana.
His Nobel Prize and Legacy
When Karl Gjellerup won the Nobel Prize, people in Denmark were not very excited. This was because he had lived in Germany for a long time and was seen as a German writer. Also, he had upset both liberal and conservative groups in Denmark at different times.
Even though he was not popular, Denmark had supported his nomination for the Nobel Prize several times. Because Sweden was neutral during World War I, sharing the prize didn't cause political problems. Instead, it showed friendship between the Nordic countries.
Today, Karl Gjellerup is almost forgotten in Denmark. However, people who study literature still see him as a writer who truly searched for truth in his works.
Gjellerup's books have been translated into many languages. These include German (often translated by himself), Swedish, English, Dutch, Polish, and Thai. The Pilgrim Kamanita is his most translated book. It has been published in many countries. In Thailand, a Buddhist country, the first part of Kamanita was even used in secondary school textbooks.
See also
In Spanish: Karl Adolph Gjellerup para niños
