1 F R E D E R ICKPHILIPGROVE. Frederick Philip Grove’s “Rousseau als Erzieher” (1914): Nietzsche’s influence on FPG in Munich & on the Prairies by Gaby.

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F R E D E RF R E D E R

I I C C K K

P P H H I I L L I I P P

G G R R O O VVEE

Frederick Philip Grove’sFrederick Philip Grove’s“Rousseau als Erzieher” (1914):“Rousseau als Erzieher” (1914):

Nietzsche’s influence onNietzsche’s influence onFPGFPG

in Munich & on the Prairiesin Munich & on the Prairies

by Gaby Divayby Gaby Divayfor the 2008 LCMND Conferencefor the 2008 LCMND Conferencein Winnipeg (hosted by the UM)in Winnipeg (hosted by the UM)

33LCMND, Sept 2008 gd

Grove’s First Canadian PublicationGrove’s First Canadian Publication

Frederick Philip Grove’s first Canadian Frederick Philip Grove’s first Canadian publication was the essay “Rousseau als publication was the essay “Rousseau als Erzieher”Erzieher”

It was published in four parts from Nov.-It was published in four parts from Nov.-Dec. 1914 in the German-Canadian Dec. 1914 in the German-Canadian newspaper newspaper Der NordwestenDer Nordwesten

““Fred Grove”, a teacher in Winkler, was Fred Grove”, a teacher in Winkler, was the authorthe author


““Fred Grove” was Felix Paul GreveFred Grove” was Felix Paul Greve

Fred Grove was born Felix Paul Greve in Fred Grove was born Felix Paul Greve in 1879 1879 He had spent a year in Bonn prison for He had spent a year in Bonn prison for fraud in 1903/4fraud in 1903/4He left Berlin in late July 1909 with a He left Berlin in late July 1909 with a faked suicide [after double-selling his faked suicide [after double-selling his Swift translation]Swift translation]He spent three years in the United States He spent three years in the United States before settling in Manitoba as Grove in before settling in Manitoba as Grove in 19121912


Grove’s “Rousseau als Erzieher”Grove’s “Rousseau als Erzieher”

Margaret Stobie found the “Rousseau” Margaret Stobie found the “Rousseau” essay while preparing her 1973 book on essay while preparing her 1973 book on Grove in the “Twayne World Authors Grove in the “Twayne World Authors series” series”

Also in 1973, D. O. Spettigue published Also in 1973, D. O. Spettigue published his discovery that Grove had been Greve his discovery that Grove had been Greve in his in his FPG: the European YearsFPG: the European Years


Greve’s First Publication, 1901Greve’s First Publication, 1901

Like Stobie’s, Spettigue’s research Like Stobie’s, Spettigue’s research papers are part of the UM Archives’ FPG papers are part of the UM Archives’ FPG CollectionsCollections

Among his many documents by or about Among his many documents by or about Greve is a 1901 review of Nietzsche’s Greve is a 1901 review of Nietzsche’s Posthumous WorksPosthumous Works, v. XI +XII, in a , v. XI +XII, in a Munich newspaperMunich newspaper

This is FPG’s first known publicationThis is FPG’s first known publication


FPG’s First Publications, 1901 & 1914FPG’s First Publications, 1901 & 1914

Neither FPG scholar was aware of the Neither FPG scholar was aware of the other’s Nietzsche link to Greve & Groveother’s Nietzsche link to Greve & Grove

And neither one pursued the interesting And neither one pursued the interesting implications of their own respective implications of their own respective findingfinding


Grove’s Canadian EssaysGrove’s Canadian Essays

The title of Grove’s rambling “Rousseau The title of Grove’s rambling “Rousseau als Erzieher” is a clear reference to als Erzieher” is a clear reference to Nietzsche’s Nietzsche’s 3rd Untimely Meditation3rd Untimely Meditation (1874)(1874)

ITS title was “Schopenhauer als ITS title was “Schopenhauer als Erzieher” (Sch. as Educator)Erzieher” (Sch. as Educator)

Grove wrote several more essays with Grove wrote several more essays with titles like “Rebels All”, “Civilization”, titles like “Rebels All”, “Civilization”, “Of Science”, & “Of History”“Of Science”, & “Of History”


Grove’s Canadian EssaysGrove’s Canadian Essays

All imitate the loud cultural criticism of All imitate the loud cultural criticism of Nietzsche’s Nietzsche’s MeditationsMeditations in form & content in form & content

They were edited in Henry Makow’s They were edited in Henry Makow’s unpublished Ph.D. thesis in 1982unpublished Ph.D. thesis in 1982

Makow dates them to ca. 1919Makow dates them to ca. 1919That is four years after “Rousseau” & three years before That is four years after “Rousseau” & three years before Grove’s first book of nature essays Grove’s first book of nature essays Over Prairie TrailsOver Prairie Trails in 1922 in 1922

He fails to appreciate the Nietzsche echoes He fails to appreciate the Nietzsche echoes resounding in themresounding in them


Greve’s German Essays on Oscar WildeGreve’s German Essays on Oscar Wilde

Grove’s essays resemble Greve’s on Grove’s essays resemble Greve’s on Oscar Wilde & decadenceOscar Wilde & decadence

A major source of inspiration for these was Nietzsche's A major source of inspiration for these was Nietzsche's Geburt Geburt der Tragder Tragöödiedie

Axel Knönagel nicely shows how Axel Knönagel nicely shows how GREVE’s outlook changed before and GREVE’s outlook changed before and after his prison term in 1903after his prison term in 1903

in his published Thesis, in his published Thesis, Nietzschean Philosophy in the works of Nietzschean Philosophy in the works of FPG, FPG, 19901990

He does, however, not link his astute He does, however, not link his astute observations to GROVE’s Nietzsche-observations to GROVE’s Nietzsche-inspired textsinspired texts

The “Rousseau” text & Makow’s essays in the UM Archives The “Rousseau” text & Makow’s essays in the UM Archives were apparently unknown to himwere apparently unknown to him

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Nietzsche's Nietzsche's Birth of TragedyBirth of Tragedy


Grove’s Canadian AphorismsGrove’s Canadian Aphorisms

Among other Grove manuscripts Among other Grove manuscripts reflecting Nietzsche’s influence stand reflecting Nietzsche’s influence stand foremost sixty confessional aphorisms foremost sixty confessional aphorisms entitled “The Life of Saint Nishivara” entitled “The Life of Saint Nishivara”

The title alone identifies them as the The title alone identifies them as the ZarathustraZarathustra (1883ff) imitation they are (1883ff) imitation they are

They were published in 1987 in They were published in 1987 in A stranger A stranger to my time: Essays by and about FPGto my time: Essays by and about FPG


Grove’s Canadian AphorismsGrove’s Canadian Aphorisms

The editor, Paul Hjartarson, does NOT The editor, Paul Hjartarson, does NOT see the obvious Nietzsche parallelssee the obvious Nietzsche parallels

Nietzsche was famous for his aphoristic Nietzsche was famous for his aphoristic style inspired by moralists like Montaigne style inspired by moralists like Montaigne

““Saint Nishivara” is, like Saint Nishivara” is, like ZarathustraZarathustra, , written in aphorismswritten in aphorisms

Hjartarson also misses the biographical Hjartarson also misses the biographical pointers FPG couched in his textpointers FPG couched in his text

We shall later return to this fragmentWe shall later return to this fragment

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St. Nishivara AphorismsSt. Nishivara Aphorisms


Grove’s Six German PoemsGrove’s Six German Poems

Many of Grove’s poems also have Many of Grove’s poems also have Nietzschean overtonesNietzschean overtones

His six German ones emphasize the His six German ones emphasize the “special” individual (FPG), unfettered by “special” individual (FPG), unfettered by ordinary rulesordinary rules

““Kopfschmerz”, “Das Fieber…”, and Kopfschmerz”, “Das Fieber…”, and “Apokalypse” are typical for applied “Apokalypse” are typical for applied “Jenseits von Gut & Böse / Beyond Good “Jenseits von Gut & Böse / Beyond Good & Evil” (1886) ethics& Evil” (1886) ethics


Grove’s English PoemsGrove’s English Poems

Grove’s English poem “Ahasuerus” Grove’s English poem “Ahasuerus” exploits the motif of Greve’s 1902 poetry exploits the motif of Greve’s 1902 poetry title title WanderungenWanderungen..

His long “Legends” continue the His long “Legends” continue the narrative vein of “Irrfahrt” & “Sage” in narrative vein of “Irrfahrt” & “Sage” in Greve's 1902 collectionGreve's 1902 collection

Both draw on Nietzsche’s “Der Wanderer Both draw on Nietzsche’s “Der Wanderer & sein Schatten” (1880)& sein Schatten” (1880)


Grove’s English PoemsGrove’s English Poems

The epic fragment “Konrad the Builder” The epic fragment “Konrad the Builder” exploits Goethe's exploits Goethe's FaustFaust motif motif

It joins Nietzsche's Promethean theme It joins Nietzsche's Promethean theme which FPG also uses on more than one which FPG also uses on more than one occasionoccasion

Nietzsche was fond of Goethe in general Nietzsche was fond of Goethe in general & & FaustFaust in particular in particular

He also championed Flaubert who He also championed Flaubert who became FPG's post-prison model in 1904became FPG's post-prison model in 1904


Nietzsche CONCEPTS in both FPGsNietzsche CONCEPTS in both FPGs

Some Nietzschean key concepts found in Some Nietzschean key concepts found in both FPGs' poetry & prose are:both FPGs' poetry & prose are:Heraclitean CHANGE being the nature Heraclitean CHANGE being the nature of all thingsof all things

(Nietzsche, like FPG, was a Classicist educated at Bonn (Nietzsche, like FPG, was a Classicist educated at Bonn University. His Thesis was on the Skeptic Diogenes Laertius)University. His Thesis was on the Skeptic Diogenes Laertius)

This view fosters RELATIVITY & This view fosters RELATIVITY & propagates SKEPTICISMpropagates SKEPTICISM

Skepticism dominates neo-Kantians like Vaihinger (Skepticism dominates neo-Kantians like Vaihinger (Philosophy Philosophy of AS-IFof AS-IF) & Dilthey) & DiltheyRelativity is evident in physicists likeRelativity is evident in physicists like Einstein, Mach, Einstein, Mach, Schrodinger, Planck, & HeisenbergSchrodinger, Planck, & Heisenberg


Nietzsche CONCEPTS in both FPGsNietzsche CONCEPTS in both FPGs

DECADENCEDECADENCENietzsche saw his times in sad decline, especially, when Nietzsche saw his times in sad decline, especially, when compared to Antiquitycompared to Antiquity

ETERNAL RETURNETERNAL RETURNThis belief attributed to Heraclitus fosters a cyclical world-This belief attributed to Heraclitus fosters a cyclical world-view, & also dominates artistic form: poetry cycles (Stefan view, & also dominates artistic form: poetry cycles (Stefan George) & musical ones (Richard Wagner)George) & musical ones (Richard Wagner)

LIFE … LIFE … has priority over Art, the noblest art being the Art of Livinghas priority over Art, the noblest art being the Art of LivingGreve reverses O. Wilde’s Art/Life poles in prison in favour of Greve reverses O. Wilde’s Art/Life poles in prison in favour of LifeLife

THE TRAGIC THE TRAGIC (in (in Geburt der TragGeburt der Tragöödie)die) Nietzsche’s views of rivaling “Dionysian” & “Apollonian” Nietzsche’s views of rivaling “Dionysian” & “Apollonian” forces are embraced by many, incl. FPG, & Thomas Mann forces are embraced by many, incl. FPG, & Thomas Mann (who sees them at work in Grove's (who sees them at work in Grove's Two GenerationsTwo Generations in 1939) in 1939)


Nietzsche TOPICS in both FPGsNietzsche TOPICS in both FPGs

Some of Nietzsche’s pet topics commonly Some of Nietzsche’s pet topics commonly found in both FPGs poetry & prose are:found in both FPGs poetry & prose are:

The “GENIUS” being above the lawThe “GENIUS” being above the lawFaust & Prometheus are typical figuresFaust & Prometheus are typical figures

MASKS & LYING as approved tools of MASKS & LYING as approved tools of dissimulationdissimulation

These themes are prominent in O. WildeThese themes are prominent in O. Wilde

Dual SLAVE & MASTER standardsDual SLAVE & MASTER standards

An elitist CONTEMPT for the “Herd” or An elitist CONTEMPT for the “Herd” or the Masses" the Masses"


Nietzsche TOPICS in both FPGsNietzsche TOPICS in both FPGs

A pronounced distrust of A pronounced distrust of PROGRESS, PROGRESS,

especially, if technology-basedespecially, if technology-based

A COSMOPOLITAN outlook A COSMOPOLITAN outlook fostering tolerance fostering tolerance

(goes together with Skepticism)(goes together with Skepticism)

A belief that WOMEN snare the A belief that WOMEN snare the GeniusGenius

… … and keep him from realizing his mission and keep him from realizing his mission


Nietzsche’s pervasive InfluenceNietzsche’s pervasive Influence

Nietzsche was the foremost philosopher of Nietzsche was the foremost philosopher of DECADENCE and LIFE DECADENCE and LIFE (Lebensphilosophie)(Lebensphilosophie)

His impact on FPG’s entire generation His impact on FPG’s entire generation cannot be over-estimatedcannot be over-estimated

Recently, FPG’s debt to him has come Recently, FPG’s debt to him has come into sharp focusinto sharp focus

A volume of sixty early manuscript poems A volume of sixty early manuscript poems by Greve was discovered & acquired by by Greve was discovered & acquired by the UMA in March 2008 the UMA in March 2008

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Facsimile eEd. of Facsimile eEd. of Jahr der WendeJahr der Wende

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Greve’s Greve’s Jahr der WendeJahr der Wende, 1901, 1901


Greve’s First Poetry Book, Nov. 1901Greve’s First Poetry Book, Nov. 1901

Completed in Nov. 1901, Completed in Nov. 1901, Das Jahr der Das Jahr der WendeWende opens with four poems about opens with four poems about NietzscheNietzscheIn Greve’s In Greve’s WanderungenWanderungen (23 poems, Feb. (23 poems, Feb. 1902), Nietzsche, the painter Böcklin, the 1902), Nietzsche, the painter Böcklin, the poet Stefan George, and Beethoven are poet Stefan George, and Beethoven are hailed as “Masters” – in this order! hailed as “Masters” – in this order! Only Böcklin & Nietzsche then have an Only Böcklin & Nietzsche then have an entire poem devoted to thementire poem devoted to them

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Contents of Contents of Jahr der WendeJahr der Wende

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"Vision", "Vision", Jahr der WendeJahr der Wende

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Friedrich Nietzsche, 1899Friedrich Nietzsche, 1899


Greve’s First Poetry Book, Nov. 1901Greve’s First Poetry Book, Nov. 1901

It is interesting that It is interesting that Das Jahr der WendeDas Jahr der Wende reflects the unstructured style of reflects the unstructured style of Nietzsche's "Dionysos Dithyramben" Nietzsche's "Dionysos Dithyramben" They concluded the They concluded the ZarathustraZarathustra complex complex in 1888, just before Nietzsche suffered the in 1888, just before Nietzsche suffered the mental breakdown that ended his careermental breakdown that ended his careerIn contrast, Greve’s In contrast, Greve’s WanderungenWanderungen show show the mark of the so-called Stefan George-the mark of the so-called Stefan George-Mache, a formally rigid way of crafting Mache, a formally rigid way of crafting poetrypoetry

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Nietzsche's Nietzsche's Dionysos DithyrambenDionysos Dithyramben


Grove’s indirect Nietzsche-HintsGrove’s indirect Nietzsche-Hints

Greve wrote FIVE poems about NietzscheGreve wrote FIVE poems about NietzscheIn comparison, ALL of Grove's Nietzsche In comparison, ALL of Grove's Nietzsche pointers are covert & indirect pointers are covert & indirect We saw his sly title reference to Nietzsche We saw his sly title reference to Nietzsche in the 1914 "Rousseau" essayin the 1914 "Rousseau" essayDas Jahr der Wende / Das Jahr der Wende / Year of the Turning Year of the Turning Point also echoes a title: Point also echoes a title:

Grove chose Grove chose The Turn of the YearThe Turn of the Year (1923) for his 2nd (1923) for his 2nd Canadian bookCanadian bookHe thus pointed to the poems he had written in He thus pointed to the poems he had written in Jahr Jahr der Wende der Wende two decades earliertwo decades earlier


Grove’s confessional AphorismsGrove’s confessional Aphorisms

Back to Grove's “Saint Nishivara” Back to Grove's “Saint Nishivara” aphorisms: they are a confession in the aphorisms: they are a confession in the disguise of Nietzsche’s disguise of Nietzsche’s ZarathustraZarathustraTheyThey can be datedcan be dated internally to 1939:internally to 1939:30 years the hero spent “in the East”, 30 years the hero spent “in the East”, another 30 “in the West”another 30 “in the West”Both times he became entangled in sin … Both times he became entangled in sin … Greve left Berlin when he was 30 in 1909, Greve left Berlin when he was 30 in 1909, & at 60 he mused about his life in 1939& at 60 he mused about his life in 1939


Grove’s Aphorisms, 1939Grove’s Aphorisms, 1939

1939 marks a period of intense Soul-1939 marks a period of intense Soul-Searching for Grove Searching for Grove

Around his birthday in mid-February 1939, Around his birthday in mid-February 1939, he sends two of his books to Thomas Mann at he sends two of his books to Thomas Mann at PrincetonPrincetonHe revises & expands his “Author’s Note” He revises & expands his “Author’s Note” for the 1939 ed. of for the 1939 ed. of ASAASA with explicit with explicit references to Goethe's references to Goethe's Dichtung & Dichtung & Wahrheit/Fact & FictionWahrheit/Fact & FictionGide’s autobiography & fame provides the Gide’s autobiography & fame provides the impetus to start is autobiography ISMimpetus to start is autobiography ISM

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Nietzsche's Nietzsche's Thus spake ZarathustraThus spake Zarathustra


More Traces of Nietzsche in FPG's PoetryMore Traces of Nietzsche in FPG's Poetry

While preparing the 2007 e-Edition of While preparing the 2007 e-Edition of FPG’s complete poetry, two of Greve’s FPG’s complete poetry, two of Greve’s poems in poems in WanderungenWanderungen warranted a link warranted a link to Nietzscheto Nietzsche

One was to the moving “Die Sonne sinkt”, One was to the moving “Die Sonne sinkt”, the other to “Aus hohen Bergen”the other to “Aus hohen Bergen”

Both the day/life & the mountain Both the day/life & the mountain metaphors were used repeatedly in metaphors were used repeatedly in Grove's poetryGrove's poetry


Nietzsche in Grove’s AutobiographyNietzsche in Grove’s Autobiography

Two years before his death, in Two years before his death, in In Search In Search of Myself of Myself (1946), Grove acknowledged his (1946), Grove acknowledged his great admiration for Nietzschegreat admiration for Nietzsche

He insists that he preferred the "early" He insists that he preferred the "early" NietzscheNietzsche

And he obscures the fact that he made And he obscures the fact that he made lavish use of Nietzsche’s late & most lavish use of Nietzsche’s late & most literary literary ZarathustraZarathustra

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UMA FPG (Greve/Grove) & FrL Website UMA FPG (Greve/Grove) & FrL Website

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eEd. of Grove's eEd. of Grove's In Search of MyselfIn Search of Myself (1946)(1946)

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Grove on Nietzsche in Grove on Nietzsche in ISMISM (p.166)(p.166)

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Wikipedia: NietzscheWikipedia: Nietzsche

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Stanford Encyclopedia: NietzscheStanford Encyclopedia: Nietzsche

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Wikipedia: Nietzsches WerkeWikipedia: Nietzsches Werke

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Stanford Encycl: Nietzsche's WorksStanford Encycl: Nietzsche's Works

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Nietzsche's Nietzsche's Ecce HomoEcce Homo

1 F R E D E R ICKPHILIPGROVE. Frederick Philip Grove’s “Rousseau als Erzieher” (1914): Nietzsche’s influence on FPG in Munich & on the Prairies by Gaby.

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