Heinrich von Kleist’s essay
Über die allmähliche Verfertigung der Gedanken beim Reden[
On the Gradual Construction of Thoughts while Speaking] was almost certainly written during 1805 and 1806, and revised sometime between 1807 and 1808. There is some evidence that Kleist and his collaborator, Adam Müller, intended to publish the essay in their literary periodical,
Phöbus. However, the essay was not in fact published until well after Kleist’s death, and first appeared in the fourth volume of Paul Lindau’s periodical
Nord und Südin 1878.
The essay is one of a number dedicated to Kleist’s close friend and confidant, Otto August Rühle von Lilienstern (1740-1847). The topic of the essay is the major obstacle to the generation of new ideas constituted by the absence of the
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Citation: Allan, Sean. "Über die allmähliche Verfertigung der Gedanken beim Reden". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 April 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=13112, accessed 21 November 2024.]