Little Johannes (eBook)

Frederik van Eeden was a Dutch writer, poet, and psychiatrist, whose versatile literary endeavors and lasting influence make him a significant figure in Dutch literature. Born on April 3, 1860, in Haarlem, Netherlands, van Eeden derived from a family with an intellectual heritage. He initially pursued a career in medicine but soon shifted his focus to literature and psychology, a combination that would color his creative output. Van Eeden's most renowned work, 'De Kleine Johannes' or 'Little Johannes' (1887), reflects a blend of fantasy and reality, an exploration of the themes of innocence and experience that resonates with an allegorical richness akin to a fairy tale. This pivotal novel occupies a crucial place in Dutch Symbolist literature, revealing van Eeden's preoccupation with the inner lives of his characters and a quest for personal and social utopia. His literary style often exhibits a sense of introspection and idealism, striving to reconcile individual aspirations with societal norms. Beyond 'Little Johannes', van Eeden's oeuvre includes a spectrum of plays, novels, and essays, and he was also a co-founder of the influential literary journal 'De Nieuwe Gids' in 1885. His profound interest in human consciousness and societal reform is evident throughout his works, which continue to be studied for their psychological depth and visionary aspirations. Frederik van Eeden passed away on June 16, 1932, leaving behind a body of work that continues to elicit scholarly interest and debate.