Johan Ludvig Heiberg’s “Literary Winter Crops” and Kierkegaard’s Polemic

Abstract

Abstract This article provides an English translation of Johan Ludvig Heiberg’s “Literary Winter Crops” from 1843. The young Kierkegaard cultivated a positive relationship with Heiberg, who was the most powerful cultural figure in Denmark at the time. Heiberg published Kierkegaard’s first articles in his literary journal Kjøbenhavns flyvende Post, and in Kierkegaard’s early works such as From the Papers of One Still Living and The Concept of Irony, there are clear signs that he continued to court Heiberg’s favor. Heiberg’s dismissive book review of Either/Or in “Literary Winter Crops” definitively ended the relationship. Deeply offended, Kierkegaard from this point on waged a polemical war with Heiberg. Heiberg’s short review played a large and negative role not just in their personal relationship but also in Kierkegaard’s development generally. This work appears here for the first time in a complete English translation.