The book "Metaphysics and Modernity" offers an in-depth analysis of the interrelationships between philosophical thought and literary writing in the context of German and Danish literature. It highlights the transition from realism to modernity, particularly through the lens of the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche. The contributions in this volume address the loss of traditional metaphysical models of meaning-making and the associated challenges for the individual subject. The authors explore how literary works respond to questions of meaning, death, and transience, while advancing into the metaphysical gravitational center of modernity. Among the authors discussed are Thomas Mann, Wilhelm Raabe, Theodor Storm, Henrik Pontoppidan, Hofmannsthal, and Rilke. This collection of essays provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between literature and philosophy during a time of upheaval.