The Assumption of Hannele

The Ascension of Little Hannele
Written byGerhart Hauptmann
Date premiered14 December 1893 (1893-12-14)
Original languageGerman
GenreSymbolism

The Ascension of Little Hannele (German: Hanneles Himmelfahrt), also known simply as Hannele, is an 1893 play by the German playwright Gerhart Hauptmann.[1] In contrast to Hauptmann's naturalistic dramas, The Assumption of Hannele adopts a more symbolist dramaturgy and includes a dream sequence.[2] The play is the first in recorded world literature with a child as its heroine.[3] The play tells the story of a neglected and abused peasant child, who, on her deathbed, experiences a vision of divine powers welcoming her into the afterlife. It was first published in 1894. Hauptmann was awarded the Grillparzer Prize in 1896 for the play.

  1. ^ Hartnoll (1983, 377).
  2. ^ Bédé and Edgerton (1980, 349), Brockett and Hildy (2003, 396), and Hartnoll (1983, 377).
  3. ^ Bédé and Edgerton (1980, 349).