Lenz

 

Whether you consider this effort a novella or “fragment” Büchner’s piece of docufiction explores aspects of Lenz’s existence, drawing from personal accounts and reflections with Lenz—namely JF Oberlin’s diary and reflections by Goethe of his time and correspondence with Lenz.

One of the elements that draws me to this work is the mental health aspect. It’s interesting to consider the progress of treatment and care of those with mental illness through the centuries, and on a deeper level, how society handles (or doesn’t handle) [attempted] suicide. While I’m sure Büchner took poetic liberties in his work, Lenz’s position calls attention to degrees of suffering and affliction. For someone whose “universe was an open wound” there’s a lot to consider.