Die Judenbuche

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Die Judenbuche is a novella written by Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in 1842. The title means "The Jew's Beech Tree". The beech becomes a significant symbol in the novella.

It has been considered as potentially the first "Krimi" and is indeed often viewed as a "Kriminalgeschichte" (crime thriller). The book is full of implications and red herrings and differs from most Krimis in that we are not given a definitive answer as to what actually happened.

The events of the story are based on fact, through a story told to Annette von Droste-Hülshoff by her uncle. The Events take place in "Village B."

[edit] Characters

Friedrich Mergel

The main character of the novella is Frederick (Friedrich), whose life we follow from beginning to end. It is never conclusively proved but he is accused of killing the Jew Aaron after his humiliation at the wedding reception. He also gives evidence when the murderer of Brandis is trying to be established.

Margreth Mergel

His mother Margret (Margreth) Mergel (maiden name Semmler) had married Hermann Mergel (she was his second wife although we are never introduced to his first wife), a drunkard, who, we learn, beat both his wives and there is an implication that he raped Margret. We learn that she dies insane, literally driven mad by the tragic events of her life; Her beloved son having abandoned her and her husband having mistreated her and then having died.

Hermann Mergel

Frederick's father. We are told that Hermann often came back home drunk and that he beat his wife. However he may have treated his wife, he loved his son very much and always brought him little treats. He dies when Frederick is nine years old.

Simon Semmler

Simon is the brother of Margret and Frederick's uncle. He is shown to be a bad influence on Frederick, whose personality undergoes dramatic changes after associating with his uncle. Simon is possibly John's father.

Johannes Niemand

John Nobody (Johannes Niemand) is a mysterious character, who seems almost to become Frederick's shadow. He is Simon's pig boy and it is implied that he is also his illegitimate son. He is very similar physically to Frederick, as shown when Margret mistakes the two on their first meeting.

Brandes

Brandis (Brandes) is the forester who is the first murder victim in this story. One reading of the novella is that Frederick killed Brandis, but more probable is that it was Simon, using an old axe of his that Frederick recognised.

Aaron

The Jew Aaron was a money lender. He lent money to Frederick and demands the money back on the night of the wedding. He humiliates Frederick who has used the money to buy a silver watch. He becomes the second murder victim in the story.

[edit] External links

• http://www.fln.vcu.edu/droste/juden_e.html - An English translation of the text
• http://www.bartleby.com/65/dr/DrosteHu.html - Short Bibliography of Annette von Drost Hülshof