There is no doubt that the lack of direct cultural association between Hoffmann and the tale of Nutcracker and Mouse King is caused in part by the sheer amount of translation and adaptions it has been processed through. Please note that as I am using texts and productions which feature three variations of the heroine’s name, thus I will also change her name depending on which version I am referring to.ĭespite relative obscurity amongst Hoffmann’s biographers, Nußknacker und Mausekönig has developed into one of the most famous adapted texts. Productions of the ballet also change her name between individual productions, and she can be known as Marie or Clara. However, her name is changed to Maria is one translation. Hoffmann’s original tale features the name of Marie for the leading heroine, the little girl who grows attached to the Nutcracker. Please be aware that his name may be spelt differently in some quotes referring to his role in the ballet or Dumas’s adaption. For consistency, I will refer to him throughout my discussions of the translations, adaptations and ballet adaptation as Drosselmeier after the spelling present in Joachim Neugroschel’s 2007 translation of Hoffmann’s narrative. Author’s Note: The spelling of Drosselmeier’s name, more so than any other character, changes depending on the source and media referred to.

Nutcracker by eta hoffmann