# Appendix A explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

> Chapter companion for The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

## What happens

This appendix discusses the sequel to Simplicissimus, the Continuatio, which was published after the original work. It is considered unworthy of Grimmelshausen, consisting of allegories, ghost stories, fables, and monotonous adventures, redeemed only by its anticipation of Robinson Crusoe in chapters XIX to XXII. A relation by Jean Cornelissen of Harlem describes finding Simplicissimus and leaving him on an island, though the narrative is overloaded with childish stories.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fortune and Fate

The castaway's miraculous powers and performances on the island suggest themes of fortune and fate in survival.

### Folly and Wisdom

The appendix criticizes the sequel as unworthy and dull, contrasting the wisdom of the original with the folly of the continuations.

## Character check-ins

### Simplicissimus

The subject of the sequel, found and left on an island by Jean Cornelissen.

### Jean Cornelissen of Harlem

Provides a relation of finding Simplicissimus and leaving him on his island.

### Hans Jacob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen

Author of the original work and the unworthy sequel Continuatio.

## Key lines

> The success of Simplicissimus induced Grimmelshausen to publish a Continuatio or sequel, which certainly does not seem to have been contemplated when he wrote the last chapter of the original work.

Because Simplicissimus was so successful, Grimmelshausen wrote a sequel that he likely hadn't planned when finishing the original.

_Explains the motivation for the sequel._

> It is a string of allegories, ghost stories, fables, and monotonous chronicles of adventure, not redeemed from dullness by occasional gross filth.

The sequel is a boring mix of allegories, ghost stories, fables, and repetitive adventures, made even worse by occasional obscenity.

_Describes the poor quality of the Continuatio._

> For one reason only it deserves our attention; viz., the curious anticipation of the story of Robinson Crusoe which is contained in chapters XIX to XXII.

The only reason to pay attention to the sequel is that chapters 19 to 22 oddly foreshadow the story of Robinson Crusoe.

_Highlights the main point of interest in the appendix._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/appendix-a
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters