British Literature Survey
Reference Pages: George Eliot Group

Das Leben Jesu
by Leyla Ballantyne

The original edition of David Freidrich Stauss’ Das Leben Jesu, The Life of Jesus, was published in 1835 in Germany. Strauss created quite a stir with his controversial work. Das Leben Jesu contradicted both predominant schools of thought regarding Biblical interpretation, mediating and super-naturalist. Strauss contended rational thought processes, attributable to the emergence of a scientific consciousness, were incongruous with contemporary approaches to interpreting the Bible. Strauss regarded the Bible as a historical text, subject to scrutiny and critical examination, regardless of the book’s divine origin.

Eliot was asked to translate Strauss’ work in 1843 by a friend, Elizabeth “Rufa” Brabant. After two and half years of work, Eliot’s translation was published; however, the text was published anonymously in an effort to veil Eliot’s gender. Though predominately German, the text also included Latin and Hebrew references. Evans’ efforts proved she was a highly capable individual who possessed a noticeable aptitude for philosophy, theology and language studies, as demonstrated by her accomplishment.

Eliot’s encounter with Strauss’ radical and modernist views regarding religion further encouraged her to abandon the evangelical modes of thought instilled by earlier schooling, notably her experience Mrs. Wallington's School at Nuneaton. Furthermore, before she translated Das Leben Jesu, Eliot was acquainted with Charles Hennell, author of An Inquiry Concerning the Origin of Christianity, an English proponent of modernist theological principles, and an important contributing factor to Eliot’s schism from traditionalist thought.

Works Cited

Baker, William and John C. Ross. George Eliot: A Bibliographical History. New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2002.

Dowler, Edwina. David Strauss and His Critics: The Life of Jesus Debate in Early 19th Century German Journals. New York: Peter Lang, 1986.

Strauss, David Freidrich. “The Life of Jesus Critically Examined”. Trans. Evans, Marian. The Lives of Jesus Series. Ed. Keck, Leander. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1972.

Paul Marchbanks
marchban@email.unc.edu