Prophets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy

"Prophets of Dissent: Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy" by Otto Heller is a collection of essays written in the early 20th century. The work analyzes the contributions and philosophies of four significant literary figures, each representing distinct currents in modern thought and social transformation. The essays delve into their radical viewpoints and artistic pursuits, exploring how their ideas intersect and diverge in relation to the pressing issues of their time. The opening portion of the collection sets the stage for a discussion of Maurice Maeterlinck, emphasizing his mysticism and humanitarianism, particularly in the context of World War I. Heller reflects on how the war has affected contemporary literature, noting a decline in artistic expression among major writers of the era. He contrasts this with Maeterlinck, whose unyielding spirit and humanitarian sympathies intensified in light of his homeland's suffering, making him a powerful voice against the tide of misery. The intent is to foreground Maeterlinck's perspective as both a reflection of the human condition and a quest for meaning amidst chaos, thereby establishing a thematic foundation for the essays that follow.