Jeremias Gotthelf’s Die Kaserei in der Vehfreude: A Didactic Satire

This study is an analysis of Gotthelf’s varied and highly original imagery within the literary tradition of Swiss satire. Drawing heavily upon Swiss culture and history, Gotthelf reaffirms in his satiric novel the importance of Christianity, in general, as the basis of practical success and personal happiness with particular reference to the impact on the Emmental of the industrialization of cheese production in 19th century Switzerland.