Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship

bildungsroman by Goethe

Also known as: “Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre”

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, classic bildungsroman by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, published in German in four volumes in 1795–96 as Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre. Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre (1821; published in final form, 1829; Wilhelm Meister’s Travels), Goethe’s final novel, can be considered a sequel in which Wilhelm moves into the next phase of his life. The Apprenticeship sets forth the 18th-century humanistic ideal of self-education and the development of intellect. The Travels reflects Goethe’s commitment to 19th-century social and technological progress. In the Apprenticeship, Wilhelm Meister is a young man who, after being disillusioned by his first love, sets out to travel. ...(100 of 164 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.