WRITER AND DRAMATIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 13

WRITER AND DRAMATIST

DEATH OF H. SUDERMANN. FAMOUS WORKS RECALLED. Australian Press Association—United Service (Received November 22, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN. Nov. 22. The death is announced of Ilerr Hermann Sudermann, poet, playwright and novelist. The late Ilerr Hermann Sudermann was born in September, 1857, at Matziken, East Prussia, close (o the Russian border. He came of an old Dutch Mennonite family. His father owned a small brewery at lleydekrug, but fell on evil times, and at Iho age of 14 the son was apprenticed to a chemist. Later, however, be was enabled to attend a secondary school at Tilsit and to 'study philosophy and history at Konigshorg University. To complete his education he went to Berlin, but funds ran out, and he entered journalism, editing tbo Liberal paper, Doutsche Peichshlatt, in 1881-2. Later he was tutor in several families, including that of the novelist, Hans Hopfen—a fact which may havo turned his mind to the writing of stories. In 1888 appeared bis largelyautobiographica! novel, "Frau Sorge" ("Dame Care"), now regarded as his chef d'oeuvre, but at the time it attracted as little attention as "Der Katzenstcg" and "Geschwister" and the. collection of short stories, "Itn Zwielicht." In November, 1889, however, Sudermann's first play, "Khrc" ("Honour"), was given at tbo Lessing Theatre, Berlin. It met, with instantaneous success which assured his future. ' Ho then devoted himself entirely to play-writing, producing tbo tragedy, "Sodoms Ende," in 1890, and three years later "Die Heimat" ("Home"), which, with "Ehre," still holds the stage in Germany. Then came the comedy, "Schmotterlings Selllacht" ("Butterflies' Battle"), "Das Glutk im Winkel" ("The Joy of Living"), the one-act plays, "Tcja," "Fritzrhen" and "Das Ewig Mannliche," of which "Frit/.chen," the tragedy of a youHg officer. was very successful. "Johannes" ("John the Baptist"), "Die Di >ci Ueiherfedcrn," "Johannisfeuer," "Es lebo das Leben," "Sturmgesekle Sokrales," "ftein unter Steinen," "Das Blumenboot," the three one-act pieces, "Rosen," "Die Strandkinder," "Der Bettier von Svrakus" and "Der Guto Puf." During tho war lie wrote the cycle, "Die Entgotterto Welt," comprising "Die Frcundin," the tragi comedy, "Die Gutfjeschnittene Eeke," and the comedy, "Das Tlohere Leben." The play, "Hegine/i based on his novel, "Der Katzenstcg." was produced in 1916. In 1919 came "Dio Raschhoffs"; in 1921 the comedy, "Der Iluter der Schwelle," and in 1923, "Die Di nkinahveihe." Sudermann also wrote several poems and stories—"lolanthc's Wedding," tho powerful social romance, "Es W.-ir" ("Tho Undying Past"), "Das Hohe Lied" and the collections of short stories, "Die Indisclio Lilie" and "LitauisHio Geschichten." With his first successes Sudermann secured a reputation with tho public and the critics 'which his later efforts did not altogether sustain —especially thoso after the wnr, when ho was overshadowed hv the increased prestigo of Ilauptmann. His more recent novels excelled their predecessors in crudity, including "Tho Mad Professor" (1927). did not attempt to deal with the new problems confronting tho coming race. His novels, "Es War," "Fran Sorgo", and "Der Katzenstcg." have been translated into English, while "Dio Heimat" was played by Sarah Bernhardt in a French version entitled, "Magda."