Letters to a Young Poet

Cover of the 1934 edition

Letters to a Young Poet is a compilation of letters by Rainer Maria Rilke. It consists of 10 letters written to a young man trying to choose between a literary career and entering the Austro-Hungarian Army.

Background

The letters were originally written to Franz Kappus, a 19-year-old officer cadet at the Vienna Military Academy, of which Rilke was an alumnus. Discouraged by the prospect of life in the Austro-Hungarian Army, Kappus began to send his poetry to the 27-year-old Rilke, seeking both literary criticism and career advice. Their correspondence lasted from 1902 to 1908. In 1929, three years after Rilke's death, Kappus assembled and published the ten letters.

The Letters

The author of the letters: Rainer Maria Rilke

Although the first letter from Kappus asked for critiques of his poetry, Rilke gave him very little during their correspondence. He also discouraged Kappus from reading criticism, advising him to trust his inner judgment. Instead, the majority of the letters address personal issues that Kappus revealed to Rilke; their span is tremendous, ranging from atheism, loneliness, sexuality, and career choices.

The First Letter

Written in Paris, France on 17 February 1903 - Theme of letter: Criticism fails to "touch a work of art." Stop trying to learn others perspectives on your own work. Instead, the young poet should focus inward and examine what truly motivates him to continue writing. He offers insights into how expanding one's internal life is important and suggests shedding external obligations.

The Second Letter

Written in Viareggio, Italy on 5 April 1903 - Theme of letter: Avoid irony except in very creative moments. Recommends the writings of Jens Peter Jacobsen.

The Third Letter

Written in Viareggio, Italy on 23 April 1903

The Fourth Letter

Written in Worpswede, Germany on 16 July 1903

The Fifth Letter

Written in Rome, Italy on 29 October 1903

The Sixth Letter

Written in Rome, Italy on 23 December 1903

The Seventh Letter

Written in Rome, Italy on 14 May 1904

The Eighth Letter

Written in Borgeby Castle, Flädie, Sweden on 12 August 1904

The Ninth Letter

Written in Furuborg, Jonsered, Sweden on 4 November 1904

The Tenth Letter

Written in Paris, France on 26 December 1908

References

• The Letters: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10].
• Online text translation source 1
• Online text translation source 2