Abstract EN:

The dramatic work of arthur schnitzler stages a considerable number of female characters, whose role is being studied here in regard to society as well as to the private life whether within the couple or the family. The question is to assess the authenticity of this witness in regard to the feminine condition in vienna around 1900. The role of the woman in the dramatic work of arthur schnitzler is furthermore a changing role : the earliest one act-plays are more impressionistic sketches, indeed caricatures, where the woman only appears as man's partner ; some more sophisticated plays have a naturalistic tendency where the difficulty of being a woman is thrown into relief. In the course of his work, schnitzler reveals himself particularly trustworthy to his circle, double circle as he describes first essentially the middle-class, specially the viennese jewish medical circle, and more and more the artistic circle. It is remarkable that the woman becomes more and more self-assured, and at the same time self-governing and essential for the man. Moreover, the female characters become more and more cheerful and happy, in any case know how to make the best use of a situation and to keep good morale instead of committing suicide when confronted with failure and hopelessness. The evolution can be seen in the representation of his characters first shown as stereotypes and later as individual beings.