The coming-of-age novel "The Hunger Pastor," published in 1864, was Wilhelm Raabe's greatest success with the public. It tells the story of Hans Unwirrsch, who comes from a poor background and struggles to rise in society. His closest friend is Moses Freudenstein, the son of the Jewish neighbor of the Unwirrsch family, who is also a social outsider due to his religion, just as Hans is because of his poverty. However, the life paths of the two diverge: While the intellectually superior Moses graduates with distinction from his philosophy studies and leads a successful life in Paris and Berlin, he becomes morally depraved. In contrast, Hans maintains his moral integrity but cannot shake off his poverty.