Title: Literature and Military Enlightenment in Johann Michael von Loen’s Novel

Abstract: Johann Michael von Loen’s novel belongs to the 18th century German Enlightenment literature and its tradition of discussing political issues. The war discourse in the novel reflects on the military practice and the war situation at that time, and puts forward the idea of introducing the enlightenment value into the military organization. Through his novel, Loen expresses the reform thoughts which first appeared in the Prussian military enlightenment of the middle of the 18th century. Standing in the enlightenment position, his shaping of the ideal military image is a way to express the political pursue of Germany’s cultivated citizens to participate in the public life. The novel uses literary creation as a medium to propagate a rational and humane enlightened war concept. In the writing of war, it reflects the thinking of the quality of soldiers, the art of war and the hope of peace.

Keywords: war writing, Johann Michael von Loen, military enlightenment, bürgertum, German Enlightenment literature

Author: Minyue Shi, Lecturer, School of Foreign Languages, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.