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Plot Overview
Heinrich has just turned twenty and yearns for nothing more than to see the mysterious blue flower he has heard about in tales. Leaving his childhood home in Thuringia, he journeys south to the city of Augsburg, the birthplace of his mother. All of his encounters along the way aid in his self-development. From merchants, Heinrich learns about the powers of ancient poets; from knights, he learns about war and enthusiasm; from the Muslim captive Zulima, he learns about peace and sympathy; from a miner, he learns about the unity of nature; and from a hermit, he learns about the unity of history. With every encounter, Heinrich’s poetic sensibility grows, and his ability to hear the spirit of the world sharpens. Arriving at last in Augsburg, Heinrich meets Klingsohr, his teacher in the art of poetry, and Mathilde, who awakens his highest passion of love. But it takes the tragedy of Mathilde’s death to awaken Heinrich’s true vocation. He must undergo a new journey, discover the power of imagination within, and use that power to change the world. Only then will Heinrich behold the flower of his dreams and find himself again in Mathilde’s arms. Heinrich’s vocation is nothing less than to overcome the limitations of time, unify reality and fairytale, and bring about the new Golden Age.
Chapter Structure and Characters
Chapter Structure and Characters
Part I. The Expectation
Chapter 1
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, his father, his mother.
Characters in the father's story of his trip to Rome: old man (Sylvester).
Characters in the father's dream: old man (Sylvester), old man in the cave, maiden carved in marble, his wife, a baby.
Location: Eisenach, city in Thuringia (present-day central Germany).
Chapter 2
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, his mother, the langravine of Thuringia, court chaplain, the merchants.
Characters in the merchants' first tale: Arion (left unnamed in the novel), the boatmen, sea creature.
Chapter 3
Characters in the merchants' second tale: King of Atlantis, his daughter, the youth, the youth's father.
Chapter 4
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, his mother, the merchants, the lord of the castle (former crusader), the lord's wife, Zulima, child with Zulima.
Location: Mountain castle between central and southern Germany.
Chapter 5
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, his mother, the merchants, locals from the tavern, a miner, a hermit (Frederick von Hohenzollern).
Location: Tavern and cave network between central and southern Germany.
Chapter 6:
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, his mother, the merchants, old Schwaning, Klingsohr, Mathilde, Vernonika.
Location: Old Schwaning's residence in the city of Augsburg.
Chapter 7:
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, Klingsohr, Mathilde.
Location: Hillside just outside Augsburg.
Chapter 8:
Characters in the novel: Heinrich, Klingsohr, Mathilde.
Location: Old Schwaning's residence.
Chapter 9 (Klingsohr's Fairytale)
Kingdom of Stars (Upper World/Stellar Plane)
Arcturus, King of Arcturus, husband of Sophie
Freya, Princess of Arcturus
Old Hero (or Iron; Perseus), a knight
Phoenix, a royal bird
Eridanus, a king’s attendant
Zinc (or Flower Gardner), a king’s attendant
Tourmaline, a king’s attendant
Gold, a king’s attendant
Eagle, a king’s attendant
Lion, a king’s attendant
Additional characters: “Spirits of the stars” (constellations that include Phoenix, Perseus, Eridanus, Eagle, Lion, and the Northern Crown)
Realm of Clouds (Intermediary World/Atmospheric Plane)
Old Moon, father of Ginnistan (see Realm of Earth)
Atlas (or Old Porter), a Titan
Hesperides, daughters of Atlas
Morning, friend of Ginnistan and sister of Evening
Evening, friend of Ginnistan and sister of Morning
Additional characters: “Spirits of the elements” (forces of nature that include Flood, Hurricane, Earthquake, Lightning, Rain, Rainbow, Sun), and household servants
Earth Realm (Middle World/Terrestrial Plane)
Eros, foster-brother of Fable
Fable, foster-sister of Eros
Ginnistan, wetnurse of Eros and mother of Fable
Sophie, godmother of Fable, wife of King Arcturus
Scribe, record-keeper of the household
Father, father of Eros
Mother, mother of Eros
Additional characters: Household servants
Underground Realm (Underworld/Subterranean Plane)
Sphinx, guardian of the underworld
Sisters (or Old Hostesses), weavers in the underworld
Additional characters: Tarantulas (garden spiders)
Part II. The Fulfillment
Chapter: The Courtyard of Heaven (left unfinished)
Characters in the novel: Heinrich (the Pilgrim), Cyane, Sylvester.
Location: a mythical Thuringia.
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