Gebrochene Romantik: Töpffers “Les amours de M. Vieux-Bois” als Karikatur zeitgenössischer Tendenzen

Until recently, most research on the graphic novel of the early 19th century has focused on textual features of Töpffer’s literature and, in particular, on his contributions to the development of the „Bande Dessinée“, which led to him being singled out as „originator“ or „father“ of the comic strip. Only very few studies have analysed the aesthetic features of his work in any sufficient depth. This article would like to reduce the gap in research by exploring his graphic novel ‘Les amours de M. Vieux-Bois’ with regard to its critical interrogation of Romantic ideals that became characteristics of the literary canon in French speaking countries when Töpffer developed his stories of gentlemen in crisis.