Cuthbert Wright

“ That is no matter of voluminous and insanely accurate note books of a Goncourt; it results only in truth to life, a not over interesting thing in many cases. Schnitzler's characters are not copies of actual types, they are actual types. Alfred in The Murderer is nothing more than an amazingly intricate psychological study; he doesn't exist. But Schnitzler creates him much in the manner of God creating Adam; he breathes on the dust. It does not at all matter that Alfred is an impossible character in trivial circumstances ”

“ He is also wise enough to know that such an impertinence as mediocre Continental philosophy cannot affect his sincere appreciation of ability which must be universally recognized. So while the ordinary observer is not going to like The Shepherd's Pipe and Other Stories as well as Casanova's Homecoming, he is going to understand the genius of Arthur Schnitzler very much better, and no one can do that without admiration. ”

“ Even Boileau, who was very near being hampered by them, knew better, and proposed that hypothesis more important than all his alexandrines; rules are a short cut to excellence. Arthur Schnitzler happens to be one of those people who attain excellence inevitably, and short cuts do not interest him. The ordinary observer realizes that, but he realizes just as acutely that Schnitzler’s work has flaws, brutal and exasperating flaws. A quotation from The Shepherd's Pipe indicates their nature ”

“ He has the cabalistic appeal; he cannot be classified, being a little of everything from realist to symbolist to romanticist. He lies thwart the canons of the schools, helping himself impartially. Now the ordinary observer knows that it is a serious mistake to suppose that rules are hampering things. ”