Gertrude

Historical Context and Significance

The novel «Gertrude» by Hermann Hesse, published in 1910, marks an important milestone in the author's work, reflecting his personal experiences and philosophical reflections on life and art. The book explores themes of love, friendship, and creativity through the lens of the main character Kuhn's musical career. Hesse uses music as a metaphor for human relationships and the inner world, making the novel significant for understanding his later works. «Gertrude» also demonstrates the influence of Romantic and Symbolist traditions, contributing to its cultural significance in the context of early 20th-century German literature. The novel influenced the development of literary modernism by exploring the complex psychological and emotional states of its characters, which became a hallmark of Hesse's works.