Author Description

Describes the many aspects and functions of the figure of the eternal wanderer in late 18th-20th century literature. In "Ahasver, der Jude" (p. 27-68) states that after the secularization of the Christian legend, the Eternal Jew represented the Jewish people, especially its negative qualities as perceived by antisemites, who claimed that because of his timelessness, the Jew can adapt himself to all times while essentially remaining himself, stubborn and loveless, the qualities for which he was condemned. He is anachronistic - a living corpse that inspires fear. His salvation can come only from complete assimilation or "Untergang". Also surveys Jewish writers' images of the Eternal Jew. The Nazis presented the Eternal Jew in literature, and in an exhibition and a movie by that name, which showed him constantly changing his masks in order to achieve world domination.