Little Herr Friedemann

"Little Herr Friedemann" (German: Der kleine Herr Friedemann) is a short story by Thomas Mann. It initially appeared in 1896 in Die neue Rundschau, and later appeared in 1898 in an anthology of Mann's short stories entitled collectively as Der kleine Herr Friedemann.

"Little Herr Friedemann" reflects a Naturalist predilection for unpleasant themes. In the work is present the author's typical parodistic opening where he uses sophisticated detachment and understatement to make the sad fate of a child at the hands of his nurse seem tragicomic. Also present is the hero's public confession before his descent into madness.

This short story explores Ibsen's idea of a life-sustaining lie. Here it is present in Herr Friedemann trying to live out a life without a romantic relationship, by taking pleasure in art and nature.