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78-456: Dancing Girl may refer to: "The Dancing Girl" (short story) , an 1890 short story by the Japanese writer Mori Ogai The Dancing Girl (film) , a lost American 1915 silent film drama Dancing Girl, a 1957 Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Shimizu The Dancing Girl , an 1891 play by Henry Arthur Jones Dancing Girl (Rabindranath Tagore) ,

156-620: A "modern subject" within the story. By experiencing the narrative through the protagonist's eyes, readers encounter a character grappling with self-awareness and individual identity in the context of Japan's rapid modernization. This innovative narrative technique paved the way for the development of the I-novel genre, a prominent style in Japanese literature that emphasizes personal experiences and introspection. Beyond its stylistic influence, "The Dancing Girl" continues to be lauded for its exploration of timeless themes. The story confronts readers with

234-638: A 1905 painting by Rabindranath Tagore Dancing Girl (Maihime) , fictional work by Yasunari Kawabata based on the life of Olga Sapphire The Dancing Girl (sculpture in Warsaw) , a 1927 statue in Warsaw, Poland Dancing Girl (Singapore sculpture) Dancing Girl (prehistoric sculpture) , a bronze statuette dating around 2500 BC from the Indus Valley Civilisation See also [ edit ] Dancing Girls (disambiguation) Performers of

312-418: A critical evaluation of the story, notably critiquing what he saw as inconsistent characterization of the story's central character, Ōta. Ōgai responded to Ningestu's critique, defending his characterization of Ōta, and the two would continue on a correspondence in which they debated Ningetsu's criticisms of "The Dancing Girl". Literary scholar Miyabi Goto notes the importance of Ōgai and Ningestu's debate for

390-630: A distinct German ethnic identity began to emerge among at least some them living within the Holy Roman Empire. However, variants of the same term were also used in the Low Countries , for the related dialects of what is still called Dutch in English, which is now a national language of the Netherlands and Belgium . The first information about the peoples living in what is now Germany was provided by

468-583: A diverse group, dominating a much larger area than Germany, stretching to the Vistula in the east, and Scandinavia in the north. German ethnicity began to emerge in medieval times among the descendants of those Germanic peoples who had lived under heavy Roman influence between the Rhine and Elbe rivers. This included Franks , Frisians , Saxons , Thuringii , Alemanni and Baiuvarii - all of whom spoke related dialects of West Germanic . These peoples had come under

546-415: A first-person narrator. This technique, uncommon in Japanese literature at the time, allowed Ōgai to delve deeply into the protagonist's emotional landscape and thought processes. This introspective style resonated with readers and future authors. Scholars like Tomiko Yoda argue that Ōgai's use of first-person narration goes beyond mere emotional exploration. Yoda suggests it contributes to the construction of

624-692: A medical student in Germany from 1884 to 1888. On the incorporation of Ōgai's experiences into the narrative of "The Dancing Girl", literary scholar Christopher Hill notes that while some scholarly interpretations of the story have argued that the narrative is autobiographical, Ōgai based the story off of other students he knew during his time in Germany and that "The Dancing Girl" should therefore not be read as an autobiographical account of Ōgai's own life. As well, Ōgai wrote "The Dancing Girl" during Japan's Meiji era , which saw Japan undergo significant transformation. "The Dancing Girl" has been noted for its reflection of

702-549: A newspaper, and persuaded the editor of a Berlin newspaper to employ Toyotarō. The two reconnected, and Kenkichi facilitates contact between Toyotarō and the Count. Kenkichi encourages Toyotarō to end his relationship with Elise. He tells Toyotarō that Elise is beneath his station, a limitation to the success of his career, and a stain on his reputation. To increase the Count's faith in Toyotarō, Kenkichi goes behind Toyotarō's back and informs

780-418: A rapidly changing society. The story's influence extends beyond the domain of literature, prompting ongoing conversations about cultural identity, societal pressures, and the psychological effects of modernization. "The Dancing Girl" has been noted for sparking literary debate between Ōgai and writer and literary critic Ishibashi Ningetsu . Shortly after the publication of "The Dancing Girl", Ningestu published

858-505: A shared descent, culture, and history. Völkisch elements identified Germanness with "a shared Christian heritage" and "biological essence", to the exclusion of the notable Jewish minority. After the Holocaust and the downfall of Nazism, "any confident sense of Germanness had become suspect, if not impossible". East Germany and West Germany both sought to build up an identity on historical or ideological lines, distancing themselves both from

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936-605: Is an important part of German culture, particularly in Southern Germany and the Rhineland . An important German festival is the Oktoberfest . A steadily shrinking majority of Germans are Christians . About a third are Roman Catholics , while one third adheres to Protestantism . Another third does not profess any religion. Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter are celebrated by many Germans. The number of Muslims

1014-529: Is based on High German and Central German , and is the first or second language of most Germans, but notably not the Volga Germans . Low German , which is often considered to be a distinct language from both German and Dutch, was the historical language of most of northern Germany, and is still spoken by many Germans, often as a second language. It is estimated that there are over 100 million Germans today, most of whom live in Germany, where they constitute

1092-522: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages The Dancing Girl (short story) The short story was adapted into an episode of Animated Classics of Japanese Literature , which was released in North America by Central Park Media . It was also adapted into an OVA (Original Video Animation) by Toei Animation in 2006. Ōgai first published "The Dancing Girl" in 1890, based on his experiences as

1170-505: Is growing. There is also a notable Jewish community, which was decimated in the Holocaust . Remembering the Holocaust is an important part of German culture. A German ethnic identity began to emerge during the early medieval period . These peoples came to be referred to by the High German term diutisc , which means "ethnic" or "relating to the people". The German endonym Deutsche is derived from this word. In subsequent centuries,

1248-461: Is interested in helping her. Eventually he is fired from his post but gets another job through his friend Aizawa Kenkichi. Over time, Toyotarō's feelings towards Elise become more romantic and she becomes pregnant. At the same time, Toyotarō is pulled towards his career by Aizawa and the Count. Toyotarō eventually chooses his career, sending Elise into a nervous breakdown . He leaves Elise alone and pregnant with his child, traveling back to Tokyo, ending

1326-611: Is ranked third among countries of the world in the number of total recipients. The English term Germans is derived from the ethnonym Germani , which was used for Germanic peoples in ancient times. Since the early modern period, it has been the most common name for the Germans in English. The term Germans may also be applied to any citizens, natives or inhabitants of Germany, regardless of whether they are considered to have German ethnicity. In some contexts, people of German descent are also called Germans. In historical discussions

1404-616: The Cold War , but were reunified in 1990. Although there were fears that the reunified Germany might resume nationalist politics, the country is today widely regarded as a "stablizing actor in the heart of Europe" and a "promoter of democratic integration". German is the native language of most Germans. It is the key marker of German ethnic identity. German is a West Germanic language closely related to Frisian (in particular North Frisian and Saterland Frisian ), Luxembourgish , English , Dutch , and Low German . Modern Standard German

1482-774: The Congress of Vienna (1815), and left most of the German states loosely united under the German Confederation . The confederation came to be dominated by the Catholic Austrian Empire , to the dismay of many German nationalists, who saw the German Confederation as an inadequate answer to the German Question . Throughout the 19th century, Prussia continued to grow in power. In 1848 , German revolutionaries set up

1560-602: The Kingdom of Poland , where they came to constitute a significant proportion of the population in many urban centers such as Gdańsk . During the 13th century, the Teutonic Knights began conquering the Old Prussians , and established what would eventually become the powerful German state of Prussia . Further south, Bohemia and Hungary developed as kingdoms with their own non-German speaking elites. The Austrian March on

1638-690: The Middle Danube stopped expanding eastwards towards Hungary in the 11th century. Under Ottokar II , Bohemia (corresponding roughly to modern Czechia) became a kingdom within the empire, and even managed to take control of Austria, which was German-speaking. However, the late 13th century saw the election of Rudolf I of the House of Habsburg to the imperial throne, and he was able to acquire Austria for his own family. The Habsburgs would continue to play an important role in European history for centuries afterwards. Under

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1716-518: The Romantic era saw a notable flourishing of German culture. Germans of this period who contributed significantly to the arts and sciences include the writers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe , Friedrich Schiller , Johann Gottfried Herder , Friedrich Hölderlin , E. T. A. Hoffmann , Heinrich Heine , Novalis and the Brothers Grimm , the philosopher Immanuel Kant , the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel ,

1794-549: The celtic La Tène culture . However, the Germanic languages associated with later Germanic peoples were approaching the Rhine area since at least the 2nd century BC. The resulting demographic situation reported by Caesar was that migrating Celts and Germanic peoples were moving into areas which threatened the Alpine regions and the Romans. The modern German language is a descendant of

1872-545: The nautch , a popular court dance in India Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Dancing Girl . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dancing_Girl&oldid=1259837432 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

1950-573: The "humiliation of Versailles", continuing traditions of authoritarian and antisemitic ideologies, and the Great Depression all contributed to the rise of Austrian-born Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, who after coming to power democratically in the early 1930s, abolished the Weimar Republic and formed the totalitarian Third Reich . In his quest to subjugate Europe, six million Jews were murdered in

2028-514: The 10th century, forming the core of the Holy Roman Empire . In subsequent centuries the political power and population of this empire grew considerably. It expanded eastwards, and eventually a substantial number of Germans migrated further eastwards into Eastern Europe . The empire itself was politically divided between many small princedoms, cities and bishoprics. Following the Reformation in

2106-446: The 16th century, many of these states found themselves in bitter conflict concerning the rise of Protestantism . In the 19th century, the Holy Roman Empire dissolved, and German nationalism began to grow. At the same time however, the concept of German nationality became more complex. The multiethnic Kingdom of Prussia incorporated most Germans into its German Empire in 1871, and a substantial additional number of Germans were in

2184-497: The Count that Toyotarō is planning on abandoning Elise. Kenkichi does, however, provide financial support for Elise and her family while Toyotarō is recovering from his illness. The final line of the story is Toyotarō's reflection upon their relationship: "Friends like Aizawa Kenkichi are rare indeed, and yet to this very day there remains a part of me that curses him." The count is first introduced after Toyotarō finds out Elise has fallen ill. He wants Toyotarō's skills and represents

2262-567: The Elbe river. It is likely that first Germanic consonant shift , which defines the Germanic language family, occurred during this period. The earlier Nordic Bronze Age of southern Scandinavia also shows definite population and material continuities with the Jastorf Culture, but it is unclear whether these indicate ethnic continuity. Under Caesar's successors, the Romans began to conquer and control

2340-640: The German inventor Johannes Gutenberg contributed to the formation of a new understanding of faith and reason. At this time, the German monk Martin Luther pushed for reforms within the Catholic Church. Luther's efforts culminated in the Protestant Reformation . Religious schism was a leading cause of the Thirty Years' War , a conflict that tore apart the Holy Roman Empire and its neighbours, leading to

2418-456: The German lands were relatively decentralized, leading to the maintenance of a number of strong regional identities. The German nationalist movement emerged among German intellectuals in the late 18th century. They saw the Germans as a people united by language and advocated the unification of all Germans into a single nation state, which was partially achieved in 1871. By the late 19th and early 20th century, German identity came to be defined by

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2496-467: The German lands. The Habsburg dynasty managed to maintain their grip upon the imperial throne in the early modern period . While the empire itself continued to be largely de-centralized, the Habsburgs own personal power increased outside of the core German lands. Charles V personally inherited control of the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia, the wealthy low countries (roughly modern Belgium, Luxembourg and

2574-514: The German language is widely seen as the primary, though not exclusive, criterion of German identity. Estimates on the total number of Germans in the world range from 100 to 150 million, most of whom live in Germany. The history of Germans as an ethnic group began with the separation of a distinct Kingdom of Germany from the eastern part of the Frankish Empire under the Ottonian dynasty in

2652-752: The German states, including the German emperor Wilhelm II , were overthrown in the November Revolution which led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic . The Germans of the Austrian side of the Dual Monarchy proclaimed the Republic of German-Austria , and sought to be incorporated into the German state, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles and Treaty of Saint-Germain . What many Germans saw as

2730-562: The Germanic languages which spread during the Iron Age and Roman era. Scholars generally agree that it is possible to speak of Germanic languages existing as early as 500 BCE. These Germanic languages are believed to have dispersed towards the Rhine from the direction of the Jastorf culture , which was itself a Celtic influenced culture that existed in the Pre-Roman Iron Age , in the region near

2808-476: The Germans. By the late 18th century, German intellectuals such as Johann Gottfried Herder articulated the concept of a German identity rooted in language, and this notion helped spark the German nationalist movement, which sought to unify the Germans into a single nation state . Eventually, shared ancestry, culture and language (though not religion) came to define German nationalism. The Napoleonic Wars ended with

2886-597: The Holocaust led to World War II in which the Nazi regime was defeated by allied powers , led by the United States , the United Kingdom , and the former Soviet Union . In the aftermath of Germany's defeat in the war, the country was occupied and once again partitioned. Millions of Germans were expelled from Central and Eastern Europe. In 1990, West Germany and East Germany were reunified . In modern times, remembrance of

2964-449: The Holocaust . WWII resulted in widespread destruction and the deaths of tens of millions of soldiers and civilians, while the German state was partitioned. About 12 million Germans had to flee or were expelled from Eastern Europe. Significant damage was also done to the German reputation and identity, which became far less nationalistic than it previously was. The German states of West Germany and East Germany became focal points of

3042-474: The Holocaust, known as Erinnerungskultur ("culture of remembrance"), has become an integral part of German identity. Owing to their long history of political fragmentation, Germans are culturally diverse and often have strong regional identities. Arts and sciences are an integral part of German culture , and the Germans have been represented by many prominent personalities in a significant number of disciplines, including Nobel prize laureates where Germany

3120-503: The Meiji era and its societal values and conflicts. On Ōgai's incorporation of Meiji values and conflicts, literary scholar Tomiko Yoda writes: "The text has been often cast as a birth-cry of the modern self, wrought in the conflict of modernity versus tradition, the East versus West, and individual desires versus repressive rules and regulations of society", reflecting changes to Japanese society during

3198-411: The Meiji era. "The Dancing Girl" has also been noted as an example of the development of modern Japanese literature during the Meiji era, with Ōgai's story cited as an example of neoclassical literature and for its use of first-person narration, a prevalent feature of modern literature in the 19th century. The story is the account of the star-crossed romance between a German dancing girl, Elise, and

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3276-400: The Nazi past and each other. After German reunification in 1990, the political discourse was characterized by the idea of a "shared, ethnoculturally defined Germanness", and the general climate became increasingly xenophobic during the 1990s. Today, discussion on Germanness may stress various aspects, such as commitment to pluralism and the German constitution ( constitutional patriotism ), or

3354-675: The Netherlands), the Kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, Sicily, Naples, and Sardinia, and the Dukedom of Milan. Of these, the Bohemian and Hungarian titles remained connected to the imperial throne for centuries, making Austria a powerful multilingual empire in its own right. On the other hand, the low countries went to the Spanish crown and continued to evolve separately from Germany. The introduction of printing by

3432-566: The Roman general and dictator Julius Caesar , who gave an account of his conquest of neighbouring Gaul in the 1st century BC. Gaul included parts of what is now Germany, west of the Rhine river. He specifically noted the potential future threat which could come from the related Germanic peoples ( Germani ) east of the river. Archaeological evidence shows that at the time of Caesar's invasion, both Gaul and Germanic regions had long been strongly influenced by

3510-525: The University of Tokyo and reports "having achieved greater honor than had any other student since the founding of the university." He is a polyglot, speaking French and German as well as Japanese. During his stay in Berlin, Toyotarō is disillusioned with the "passive, mechanical being" he has become. He no longer takes pride in having excelled at academic and professional endeavours. He feels as though his success

3588-646: The arts and crafts. In the late Middle Ages the German economy grew under the influence of urban centers, which increased in size and wealth and formed powerful leagues, such as the Hanseatic League and the Swabian League , in order to protect their interests, often through supporting the German kings in their struggles with the nobility. These urban leagues significantly contributed to the development of German commerce and banking. German merchants of Hanseatic cities settled in cities throughout Northern Europe beyond

3666-531: The career path for Toyotarō. He is a very influential politician to the point when he asks for Toyotarō, he immediately leaves for the interview. One connection that has been made is between Count Amakata and real-life Yamagata Aritomo . When Toyotarō meets the count in the winter of 1888, Yamagata was also traveling abroad. Ōgai's "The Dancing Girl" stands as a pivotal work in Japanese literature, influencing both its form and thematic exploration. Published in 1890, "The Dancing Girl" broke new ground with its use of

3744-408: The complexities of cultural identity, particularly the tension between tradition and the allure of Westernization, a struggle relevant to Japan's modernization period and beyond. Critics acknowledge the story's portrayal of individual struggles amidst social and cultural clashes, offering a nuanced perspective on the human cost of modernization. Scholarly analysis further enriches the understanding of

3822-577: The continued growth of Japanese literature during the 19th century. On the context of the debate in Meiji Japan , Goto writes: "Many Meiji elites thus conceived of criticism as a distinct, fundamentally different practice from literature, assigning the former the vital role of nurturing the latter" and uses the Ōgai–Ningestu debate as an example of the development of Japanese literature through criticism. German people Germans ( German : Deutsche , pronounced [ˈdɔʏtʃə] ) are

3900-523: The death of millions of Germans. The terms of the Peace of Westphalia (1648) ending the war, included a major reduction in the central authority of the Holy Roman Emperor. Among the most powerful German states to emerge in the aftermath was Protestant Prussia , under the rule of the House of Hohenzollern . Charles V and his Habsburg dynasty defended Roman Catholicism. In the 18th century, German culture

3978-451: The dominance of the western Franks starting with Clovis I , who established control of the Romanized and Frankish population of Gaul in the 5th century, and began a process of conquering the peoples east of the Rhine. The regions long continued to be divided into " Stem duchies ", corresponding to the old ethnic designations. By the early 9th century AD, large parts of Europe were united under

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4056-845: The end of World War I , Austria-Hungary and the German Empire were partitioned, resulting in many Germans becoming ethnic minorities in newly established countries. In the chaotic years that followed, Adolf Hitler became the dictator of Nazi Germany and embarked on a genocidal campaign to unify all Germans under his leadership. His Nazi movement defined Germans in a very specific way which included Austrians , Luxembourgers , eastern Belgians , and so-called Volksdeutsche , who were ethnic Germans elsewhere in Europe and globally. However, this Nazi conception expressly excluded German citizens of Jewish or Roma background. Nazi policies of military aggression and its persecution of those deemed non-Germans in

4134-537: The entire region between the Rhine and the Elbe which centuries later constituted the largest part of medieval Germany. These efforts were significantly hampered by the victory of a local alliance led by Arminius at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, which is considered a defining moment in German history. While the Romans were nevertheless victorious, rather than installing a Roman administration they controlled

4212-454: The formation of a united German Empire . In the years following unification, German society was radically changed by numerous processes, including industrialization, rationalization, secularization and the rise of capitalism. German power increased considerably and numerous overseas colonies were established. During this time, the German population grew considerably, and many emigrated to other countries (mainly North America), contributing to

4290-727: The growth of the German diaspora . Competition for colonies between the Great Powers contributed to the outbreak of World War I , in which the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires formed the Central Powers , an alliance that was ultimately defeated, with none of the empires comprising it surviving the aftermath of the war. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires were both dissolved and partitioned, resulting in millions of Germans becoming ethnic minorities in other countries. The monarchical rulers of

4368-458: The hardship of her life: Elise is worked to the bone with daytime rehearsals and nighttime performances, and her wages are a pittance. Toyotarō states that, despite it being common for dancing girls to become prostitutes due to these conditions, Elise has not done so because of her "modest nature" and her father's protection. Toyotarō becomes something of a mentor for Elise near the beginning of their relationship. Elise had enjoyed reading since she

4446-499: The later control of powerful German dynasties it became an important region within modern Germany, and home to its modern capital, Berlin. German population also moved eastwards from the 11th century, in what is known as the Ostsiedlung . Over time, Slavic and German-speaking populations assimilated, meaning that many modern Germans have substantial Slavic ancestry. From the 12th century, many Germans settled as merchants and craftsmen in

4524-868: The leadership of Otto von Bismarck , Prussia expanded its sphere of influence and together with its German allies defeated Denmark in the Second Schleswig War and soon after Austria in the Austro-Prussian War , subsequently establishing the North German Confederation . In 1871, the Prussian coalition decisively defeated the Second French Empire in the Franco-Prussian War , annexing the German speaking region of Alsace-Lorraine . After taking Paris, Prussia and their allies proclaimed

4602-406: The leadership of the Habsburgs the Holy Roman Empire itself remained weak, and by the late Middle Ages much of Lotharingia and Burgundy had come under the control of French dynasts, the House of Valois-Burgundy and House of Valois-Anjou . Step by step, Italy, Switzerland, Lorraine , and Savoy were no longer subject to effective imperial control. Trade increased and there was a specialization of

4680-454: The long-term separation between the states of West Francia , Middle Francia and East Francia . Beginning with Henry the Fowler , non-Frankish dynasties also ruled the eastern kingdom, and under his son Otto I , East Francia, which was mostly German, constituted the core of the Holy Roman Empire . Also under control of this loosely controlled empire were the previously independent kingdoms of Italy , Burgundy , and Lotharingia . The latter

4758-495: The majority of the population. There are also sizable populations of Germans in Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Brazil, France, Kazakhstan, Russia, Argentina, Canada, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Paraguay, and Namibia. The Germans are marked by great regional diversity, which makes identifying a single German culture quite difficult. The arts and sciences have for centuries been an important part of German identity. The Age of Enlightenment and

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4836-413: The multiethnic kingdom of Austria-Hungary . During this time, a large number of Germans also emigrated to the New World , particularly to the United States , especially to present-day Pennsylvania . Large numbers also emigrated to Canada and Brazil , and they established sizable communities in New Zealand and Australia . The Russian Empire also included a substantial German population. Following

4914-444: The natives or inhabitants of Germany , or sometimes more broadly any people who are of German descent or native speakers of the German language . The constitution of Germany , implemented in 1949 following the end of World War II , defines a German as a German citizen . During the 19th and much of the 20th century, discussions on German identity were dominated by concepts of a common language, culture, descent, and history. Today,

4992-405: The nobility for power. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Germans actively participated in five Crusades to "liberate" the Holy Land . From the beginnings of the kingdom, its dynasties also participated in a push eastwards into Slavic-speaking regions. At the Saxon Eastern March in the north, the Polabian Slavs east of the Elbe were conquered over generations of often brutal conflict. Under

5070-415: The noble families, who often sought to have weak kings elected in order to preserve their own independence. This prevented an early unification of the Germans. A warrior nobility dominated the feudal German society of the Middle Ages, while most of the German population consisted of peasants with few political rights. The church played an important role among Germans in the Middle Ages, and competed with

5148-493: The painter Caspar David Friedrich , and the composers Johann Sebastian Bach , Ludwig van Beethoven , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Joseph Haydn , Johannes Brahms , Franz Schubert , Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner . Popular German dishes include brown bread and stew . Germans consume a high amount of alcohol , particularly beer, compared to other European peoples. Obesity is relatively widespread among Germans. Carnival (German: Karneval , Fasching , or Fastnacht )

5226-409: The protagonist, Ōta Toyotarō, a Japanese exchange student who must choose between his career and his feelings for the dancer. Toyotarō comes to Germany after coasting through his college work standing at the top of his class. Upon arriving to Germany, Toyotarō feels isolated from his peers as he did not party like they did. One night on his way home, Toyotarō stumbles upon a crying Elise and immediately

5304-440: The region indirectly for centuries, recruiting soldiers there, and playing the tribes off against each other. The early Germanic peoples were later famously described in more detail in Germania by the 1st century Roman historian Tacitus . At this time, the Germanic peoples, or Germani , were fragmented into a large number of peoples who were frequently in conflict with both the Roman Empire and one another. He described them as

5382-410: The rule of the Frankish leader Charlemagne , who expanded the Frankish empire in several directions including east of the Rhine, consolidating power over the Saxons and Frisians , and establishing the Carolingian Empire . Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo I in 800. In the generations after Charlemagne the empire was partitioned at the Treaty of Verdun (843), eventually resulting in

5460-436: The story's depth. For example, Christopher Hill examines the protagonist's resentment as a reflection of a national identity grappling with Western influence, adding a layer of social commentary to the narrative. "The Dancing Girl" remains a cornerstone of Japanese literature. Its innovative narrative approach and exploration of enduring themes continue to inspire writers and spark discussions about individual experiences within

5538-439: The story. Afterwards, Mori Ōgai describes his experience in Germany, as well as a few other people's accounts, as the inspiration. Toyotarō's father died when he was a young child, and he was raised by his mother in Tokyo. Toyotarō claims that he had been a good son, having given his mother "the strength to go through life." Prior to his arrival in Berlin, Toyotarō was an exemplary student and employee in Tokyo. He studied law at

5616-564: The temporary Frankfurt Parliament , but failed in their aim of forming a united German homeland. The Prussians proposed an Erfurt Union of the German states, but this effort was torpedoed by the Austrians through the Punctation of Olmütz (1850), recreating the German Confederation. In response, Prussia sought to use the Zollverein customs union to increase its power among the German states. Under

5694-575: The term "Germans" is also occasionally used as a way to refer to members of the Germanic peoples during the time of the Roman Empire . The German endonym Deutsche is derived from the Old High German term diutisc , which means "ethnic" or "relating to the people". This term was used for speakers of West-Germanic languages in Central Europe since at least the 8th century, after which time

5772-404: Was a Roman and Frankish area which contained some of the oldest and most important old German cities including Aachen , Cologne and Trier , all west of the Rhine. Leaders of the stem duchies which constituted this eastern kingdom — Bavaria , Franconia , Swabia , Thuringia , and Saxony ― continued to wield considerable power independently of the king. German kings were elected by members of

5850-550: Was a child, and voraciously read any material that Toyotarō gave her. She initially has an accent when speaking, and a poor grasp of grammar and punctuation, but Toyotarō claims that his tutelage removed Elise's accent and improved her writing. Aizawa Kenkichi is Toyotarō's friend from Japan. He is employed as the private secretary to Count Amakata of Tokyo. He uses this connection, and others, to help restore Toyotarō's standing. While in Japan, Kenkichi read about Toyotarō losing his job in

5928-432: Was a reward for being passive. Toyotarō admits to being a weak-willed person, and immediately agreeing with his superiors without considering consequences. Throughout the novella, Toyotarō himself plays a secondary role in most events: it is largely the actions of Elise, his mother, and Aizawa Kenkichi that further the narrative. He expresses shame over this quality, but no desire to rectify it. Elise (also written as Elis)

6006-437: Was born into a poor family, and received little formal education growing up. She is described as having blue eyes and golden hair. Toyotarō is taken aback by her appearance upon meeting her, and remarks on her beauty throughout the novella. At fifteen, Elise began training as a dancer for a theatre in response to an advertisement. At the time of meeting Toyotarō, Elise was employed as the theatre's second dancer. Toyotarō recounts

6084-509: Was significantly influenced by the Enlightenment . After centuries of political fragmentation, a sense of German unity began to emerge in the 18th century. The Holy Roman Empire continued to decline until being dissolved altogether by Napoleon in 1806. In central Europe, the Napoleonic wars ushered in great social, political and economic changes, and catalyzed a national awakening among

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