Stefan Zweig wrote The World of Yesterday to offer a narrative of the pre-World War I culture he experienced firsthand. His goal was to look back at the past to reflect on the conflicting feelings of the world in order to inform the choices of the present. He hoped to encourage people not to make the same mistakes which led to two world wars.
Zweig feared the world was forgetting the lessons of the past, and he wanted to be a critical observer of the era he witnessed. As a result, he wrote a vivid history of cultural dynamics and of how the world changed from a pre-WWI Austria to post-WWII Europe. The narrative combined personal reminiscences, impressions, and an awareness not only of cultural and political developments, but also of psychological and emotional currents.
In addition to historical detail, the book provided an analysis of the cultural and social changes of the period. Zweig reflects on some of the darker elements of pre-World War I Europe that would come to the forefront during WWI and WWII. He notes institutionalized nationalistic pride, economic and social inequality, as well as other factors that contributed to the war’s destruction.
By taking a step back to reflect on the world he knew before WWI, Stefan Zweig sought to use The World of Yesterday to inform the choices and actions of his contemporaries. He believed that those who had experienced the violence and destruction of a world war firsthand must never forget the painful memories and lessons it taught. He wanted the book to inspire and empower his readers to create a better world for the future, and to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
