The German Refugees

The German refugees amuse themselves by telling stories.

Goethe's collection of stories (1795) is modelled on the "Decameron". A family of German nobles have been forced from their home on the left bank of the Rhine by the French Revolution. Their peace is further disrupted by the arguments between the young Karl, a supporter of the ideals of the revolution, and the other men. The Baroness saves the situation by suggesting they amuse each other by telling stories. There are seven in all: two short ghost stories, two amorous anecdotes and two more substantial moral tales, the whole being concluded with Goethe's richly worked, fantastic, symbolic, allegorical "Fairy Tale".