A Study of Reinhold Schneider through Biography and Translation

Abstract

<p>This thesis consists of a biography of Reinhold Schneider and a translation of two stories which appeared in his 1943 collection of short stories entitled Die Dunkle Nacht. Each story is followed by notes which give explanations concerning historical background, biblical concepts and expressions, and problems in translation. The Bibliography is divided into "Works Cited" and "Works Consulted" for the reader who wishes to do further research on this author.</p> <p>The purpose of this thesis is to provide the English-speaking reader with an introduction to Reinhold Schneider, one of the few people who both wrote and published anti-Nazi literature within Germany during the Second World War. This courageous writer, who saw his role as giving his people "a helping word", sought to direct them back to the Absolute, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. He also reminded them that the conscience is an indestructible part of man. The emphasis of this thesis presents itself equally in both Parts One and Two to show that Schneider deserved such names as "a voice in the wilderness" and "Germany's conscience" during this difficult period of history.</p>