Master Martin, the Cooper, and His Journeyman

E. T. A. Hoffmann, originally encouraged to pursue law, shifted his focus to literature and philosophy, influenced by German classicists and thinkers like Immanuel Kant. His notable works include "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," which inspired Tchaikovsky's ballet, and "The Sandman," a pivotal story that influenced both ballet and Freud's essay "The Uncanny." Hoffmann's unique blend of literary and musical talent has solidified his reputation as a master of the uncanny, making his works significant in both literature and psychology.