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Else Lasker-SchulerGerman poet and writer
Date of Birth: 11.02.1869
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Elsie Lasker-Schüler: A Trailblazing Expressionist Poet
- Family Losses and Education
- Literary Beginnings and First Marriage
- Second Marriage and Literary Gatherings
- Emergence as an Expressionist Poet
- Financial Struggles and Friendship
- Nazi Persecution and Exile
- Final Years and Legacy
Elsie Lasker-Schüler: A Trailblazing Expressionist Poet
Early Life and ChildhoodElsie Lasker-Schüler, born on February 11, 1869, in Elberfeld (now a district of Wuppertal), was the youngest of six daughters. As a child growing up in the Briller neighborhood, she displayed extraordinary talent, reading and writing fluently by the age of four.
Family Losses and Education
Lasker-Schüler's life was marked by profound losses. At the tender age of 13, she lost her beloved brother, Paul. This was followed by the deaths of her mother (1890) and father (1897), events that left an irreplaceable void in her life. Despite the hardships, she excelled academically, attending the Lyzeum "West An der Aue."
Literary Beginnings and First Marriage
After her graduation, Lasker-Schüler married Dr. Jonathan Berthold Lasker, the brother of the renowned chess master. The couple moved to Berlin, where her literary journey began. In 1899, she penned her first poems, and in 1902, her debut collection "Styx" was published.
Second Marriage and Literary Gatherings
In 1903, Lasker-Schüler divorced Berthold and married the writer Georg Levin (pen name Herwarth Walden). Berlin became her literary hub, as she frequented cafes and clubs such as the Romanisches Cafe and the Neuer Club. It was during this time that she established important literary connections.
Emergence as an Expressionist Poet
In the early 1900s, Lasker-Schüler's prose works and dramatic play "Die Wupper" marked her literary breakthrough. However, it was her 1911 poetry collection "Meine Wunder" that cemented her status as a pioneer of Expressionism. Her unique style, characterized by vivid imagery and heightened emotions, earned her widespread recognition.
Financial Struggles and Friendship
After her divorce from Walden, Lasker-Schüler faced financial hardship. She relied on the support of friends, including the writer Karl Kraus, who published her work in his journal "Die Fackel." Kraus's encouragement and the friendship she forged with Gottfried Benn proved invaluable during this challenging period.
Nazi Persecution and Exile
Despite receiving the prestigious Kleist Prize in 1932, Lasker-Schüler's literary success did not shield her from Nazi persecution. In 1933, she was attacked by stormtroopers and fled to Zurich, fearing for her life. She traveled to Palestine twice, but the outbreak of war forced her to return to Switzerland.
Final Years and Legacy
In 1944, Lasker-Schüler's health deteriorated, and she passed away on January 22, 1945, in Palestine. Her remains were laid to rest on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Today, Elsie Lasker-Schüler's bold and visionary poetry continues to be celebrated as a testament to her remarkable talent and indelible legacy in German literature.
