Elective Affinities (in German, "Die Wahlverwandtschaften") is an 1809 novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (pronounced [gø tə]) (August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832) was a German writer, politician, humanist, scientist, and philosopher. ...
In early nineteenth century chemistry, the phrase "elective affinities" was used to describe compounds that only interacted with each other under select circumstances. He used this as an organizing metaphor for marriage, and the conflict between responsibility and passion. When first published it was considered controversial for questioning the institution of marriage, and in some ways was a precursor of A Dolls House. Marriage is a relationship and bond, most commonly between a man and a woman, that plays a key role in the definition of many families. ... There is a separate article about The Dolls House, the graphic novel collection of the comic book The Sandman. ...
The story involves two men (Edward and Otto) and two women (Carlotta and Ottlia) and their various longings and infidelities.
It was filmed in 1996 by director Paolo Taviani, as "Le affinità elettive". It also served as the inspiration for the 1982 Francis Ford Coppola film One from the Heart. Francis Ford Coppola (born April 7, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American film director, screenwriter, vintner, and hotelier. ...
ElectiveAffinities (originally Die Wahlverwandtschaften in German) is an 1809 novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
In early Nineteenth century chemistry, the phrase "electiveaffinities" was used to describe compounds that only interacted with each other under select circumstances.
Goethe used this as an organizing metaphor for marriage, and for the conflict between responsibility and passion.
ElectiveAffinities was written when Goethe was sixty and long established as Germany's literary giant.
"ElectiveAffinities" is the story of two married aristocrats, Eduard and Charlotte, who spend their time and money in general indolence, tinkering with the land on their estate.
Goethe's "ElectiveAffinities" is a quick read - Hollingdale's translation is user-friendly, becoming ornate only when faith to the original seems to demand it.