My thesis introduces the German-puppet character Kasperl to English-language scholars. I provide historical background on the evolution of the Kasperl figure and explore its political uses, its role in children’s theatre, and the use of puppet theatre as an alternative means of performance. The section on the political uses of this iconic character focuses mainly on propaganda during the First and Second World Wars, but also touches on other developments during the Weimar Republic and in the post-war era. The television program Kasperl and the use of Kasperl for education and indoctrination are two major features in the section concerning children’s theatre.
In the second section of the thesis, my study focuses on the German puppet theatre dramatist Franz von Pocci (1807-1876) and his works. I examine Pocci’s theatrical texts, positing him as an author who wrote not only for children’s theatre. Within this section, I interpret several of his texts and highlight the way in which he challenges the artistic and scientific communities of his time. Finally, I analyze and translate his puppet play Hänsel und Gretel: Oder der Menschenfresser. In the analysis I explore issues concerning science, family, government agencies, and morality. I also compare Pocci’s text to the Grimm’s version and Charles Perrault’s Little Thumb. In a preface to the translation, I discuss my process of translation and the problems one faces in translating a literary text. I then provide two appendices; the first contains several important images of Kasperl puppets, whereas the second provides an example of my translation method by displaying the original text, my first translation, and my final translation side by side.