Burgerlichkeit and Burger are central concepts in (German) literary history. The emancipation of the Burgertum (bourgeoisie/middle classes) in the modern age has in fact been identified as the prime source of the profound cultural and socio-structural changes taking place in the 18th century. However, close scrutiny of the historical circumstances has split up the apparently close-knit concept of the Burger into a diversity of semantic and socio-structural components that appear to be anything but unified. Accordingly, traditional models operative in literary history and sociology need to be thoroughly reviewed and revised."

The present study sets out to reformulate problems posed by the socio-historical explanation of literature by regarding them in terms of systems theory. It shows how, under the pressure of emergent 'exclusive individuality', traditional ideas and formulations are reinterpreted and pressed into service to perform new functions. Three works from Goethe's early period - the "Pastorbrief," "GAtz" and "Clavigo" - are subjected to thorough analysis and a new reading of them is proposed. It becomes apparent that previous interpretations have themselves adopted the coordinates of Enlightenment and Empfindsamkeit, thus missing the opportunity for socio-historically motivated reinterpretations and denying these works much of their specifically historical thrust.