The study of themes and motifs in Western Literature has occupied the authors over two decades. They have previously presented their findings in Wiederholte Spiegelungen: Themen und Motive in der Literatur (1978), Themes and Motifs in Western Literature (1987), and Themen und Motive in der Literatur: Ein Handbuch (1987)
Reviews of these studies called attention to their significance for the thematic exploration of literature:
"This reviewer found the Daemmrichs' book extremely stimulating; there is a need today - especially in the classroom - for new approaches to literature, and this study is refreshing in its departure from the usual period or genre investigation. It sets a fine precedent and does much to fill that need and initiate new directions." (Marilyn Sibley Fries in 'Modern Fiction Studies')
"The 'Handbook', using a comparative approach to themes and motifs, should be considered an important source for any literary research." (Heinz Klüppelholz in 'Fachdienst Germanistik)
"A fine and valuable literary reference and resource ... that will come to be viewed as another essential guide to Western literature." (Christoph Dolmetsch in 'German Quarterly')
"We applaud the Daemmrichs' courageous endeavor to free the study and taxonomy of themes and motifs from the traditional eclecticism, the main epistemological crux of this kind of literay research. The Daemmrichs are on the way to reconciling analysis of the poetic and rhetorical elements of literary texts with a synthetic view of the problems and ideas expressed in them." (Manfred Beller in 'Yearbook of Comparative and General Literature)
"This work provides an important service to every researcher and every teacher." (André Billaz in 'Revue des Sciences Humaines')
"Daemmrichs' 'Themes' is a particularly good short 'theoretical, historical, and bibliographical guide' to literary motifs and themes." (M.W. Senger in 'The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies) "Cette nouvelle approche, fort bien présentée, ouvre des horizons aux critiques littéraires." (Fernande Bassan, Nineteenth-Century French Studies)
"This reviewer found the Daemmrichs' book extremely stimulating; there is a need today - especially in the classroom - for new approaches to literature, and this study is refreshing in its departure from the usual period or genre investigation. It sets a fine precedent and does much to fill that need and initiate new directions." (Marilyn Sibley Fries in 'Modern Fiction Studies')
"The 'Handbook', using a comparative approach to themes and motifs, should be considered an important source for any literary research." (Heinz Klüppelholz in 'Fachdienst Germanistik)
"A fine and valuable literary reference and resource ... that will come to be viewed as another essential guide to Western literature." (Christoph Dolmetsch in 'German Quarterly')
"We applaud the Daemmrichs' courageous endeavor to free the study and taxonomy of themes and motifs from the traditional eclecticism, the main epistemological crux of this kind of literay research. The Daemmrichs are on the way to reconciling analysis of the poetic and rhetorical elements of literary texts with a synthetic view of the problems and ideas expressed in them." (Manfred Beller in 'Yearbook of Comparative and General Literature)
"This work provides an important service to every researcher and every teacher." (André Billaz in 'Revue des Sciences Humaines')
"Daemmrichs' 'Themes' is a particularly good short 'theoretical, historical, and bibliographical guide' to literary motifs and themes." (M.W. Senger in 'The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies) "Cette nouvelle approche, fort bien présentée, ouvre des horizons aux critiques littéraires." (Fernande Bassan, Nineteenth-Century French Studies)