Zur Nat?rlichkeit als epistolarem Stilprinzip vor und bei Gellert

Tracing the history of `natural' style from late 17th century letter writing manuals to Gellert's reform, this article shows how the ideal of `naturalness' is being derived from the topos of letters as conversations among absentees (sermo absentis ad absentem). The article argues that semantic shifts within the concept of `naturalness' go along with changes in the relationship between letters and publicity. Unlike gallant letters, Gellert's letters generate their quality of `naturalness' by emphasizing that they were allegedly not intended for an outside audience.

Automated summary

This article traces the history of the "natural" style from late 17th century letter writing manuals to Gellert's reform, highlighting the derivation of the ideal of "naturalness" from the concept of letters as conversations among absentees. The article argues that the semantic shifts within the concept of "naturalness" are in line with changes in the relationship between letters and publicity. Unlike gallant letters, Gellert's letters emphasize that they were not intended for an outside audience in order to generate their quality of "naturalness".