Genre
A novel
Setting and Context
The actions take place in Germany; the time is not pointed, but due to some allusions it is mostly to take place in the beginning of the XIX century.
Narrator and Point of View
It is first-person narration. The narrator is Peter Schlemihl himself, who tells about his life and misfortunes.
Tone and Mood
The tone is exciting and intense, as the actions depicted develop rapidly.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Peter Schlemihl, and the antagonist the man in gray.
Major Conflict
The main conflict stands in the opposition of wealthy life to being oneself. On the basis of the narrator’s examples, the author shows that money is not the thing that matters the most; it is important to stay what one has been born and to enjoy life beyond prejudices and temptations of society.
Climax
The climax come when Peter Schlemihl rejects to give up his soul, and it becomes obvious that he is to end up without his shadow as well.
Foreshadowing
The appearance of the man in grey in a year and one day foreshadows that he has new contract for Peter, and that the last year has been a total disaster for the main character, this appearance foreshadows even worse consequences.
Understatement
The power of love is somehow understated, as Minna really loved Peter, and it would not matter much for her whether he was with or without a shadow.
Allusions
The story alludes to Napoleon.
Imagery
Imagery is widely used in nature descriptions and character portrayals.
Paradox
One central paradox is that that it is possible to take away one’s shadow.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the declivity of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them” (“party” is a synecdoche for people)
“The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good sovereign” (“chorus” is synecdoche for those girls who were singing)
“IT was yet early, when I was suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute in my antechamber” (“voices” is metonymy for people)
Personification
“passed away that day and evening”
“night found me still lying on the gold”
