In this book, eight renowned literary scholars demonstrate different ways of approaching a literary text using the same object of investigation - Kleist's story "The Earthquake in Chili". At the same time, they also explain the prerequisites of their method and their approach theoretically. The direct confrontation makes the scope and limits of the various methods particularly clear: a vivid and informative form of "methodological dispute" that is stimulating and informative for every reader interested in literary studies. In addition, the volume also provides an excellent insight into the state of research into one of the most important narratives of German literature.