Through a close analysis of letters, essays, reviews, and selected works, this monograph charts the dramatist's literary attempts both to define the realm of man's freedom in a technological society and to discover a suitable pose for the individual facing his unavoidable fate. This investigation illustrates how the synthesis of two major strands of Goering's aesthetic theory and personal philosophy - "das Leben als Kunstwerk leben" and "einen Gedanken zu Ende denken" - form such a basic guiding principle for human conduct. Moreover, through a study of Reinhard Goering and especially the critical reception of his work, this book attempts to define more clearly the author's importance and influence within the Expressionist movement and the later trend towards Neue Sachlichkeit.
"The book complements the various studies which have scrutinized his literary works since his "rediscovery" in the 1960s. It will have to be consulted in further explorations of Goering's writings... David has given us the facts in richly annotated form." (Ralph Ley, Rutgers University, German Studies Review)