In Der Student von Wittenberg Wilhelm Raabe juxtaposes nature and society to show the harmony existing in nature and the lack of harmony in society. Society can be divided into a mental order and an order of force. Within the mental order, education is the element which separates the two orders. When united, the order of force goes astray, leading to conflict or war. The historical dimension of the story spans several centuries, making it as relevant to modern readers as to Raabe's readership. The story's relevance justifies the careful translation of each word and the quest for words that have similar meanings and connotations within their historical framework. Raabe makes us aware of the two orders in society and urges us to educate ourselves to prevent the joining of the two forces.