Intertextual borrowing and references to literary models characterize Arthur Schnitzler's narrative works to a much greater degree than previously thought, as is clearly revealed in this study. The transformation of Schnitzler's aesthetic orientation is reflected in his choice of pre-texts. While his early narratives make more extensive reference to French literature, the narrative works of his middle and late periods are notable for their individualized choice of pre-texts, which specifically attune their intertextual references to the particular post-text.

Achim Aurnhammer, Universität Freiburg i. Br.