"Helhedens Forstaaelse". Peter Hansens Litteraturhistorie

Resumé

Peter Hansen (Copenhagen 1840 – Hellerup 1905) was a journalist and essayist, who
wrote energetically and in a lively manner, and who was also active as a translator. His
Illustrated History of Danish Literature in three volumes is important, especially the third
volume, which makes it possible to approach Danish literature of the 19th century in
many ways. This comprehensive volume is an important instrument of research with
regard to those parts of the literature of this period, which have not received much
attention from posterity, such as the writers on the Conservative side of the cultural debate
in the last third of the century. The article investigates in which sense this history
of literature can be termed conservative, describes its views and interests, including
how it refers to Christianity, patriotic feeling, and the conservative writers. Hansen’s
work puts emphasis on a national revival and less on a religious one. The unified whole
is presented as a philosophy of life, and History means exceedingly much within this
totality. Peter Hansen wished to see Danish culture as a unity, making scholarship also
a part of the literature, and he made various scholars write descriptions of their own
disciplines in the 19th century. P. Hansen puts emphasis on clarity, in the authors he is
dealing with, as well as in his own presentation. He also wants to avoid exaggerations,
e.g. with regard to national feelings, which are otherwise a mayor concern to him. The
main impression is therefore a broad and balanced representation of the topic, mainly
in accordance with the National Liberal movement of the century. The article shows
that this attitude manifests itself also in a lack of criticism as to principles of the cultural
radicalism of the day, despite expressing opposition to certain means of fighting
in the debate. An attitude to life is rather reflected in the optimism which he maintains
contrary to the pessimism of the naturalists.