The purpose of this work is twofold. First, Die Verlobung in St. Domingo is analyzed, emphasizing the topics of society and race, interpersonal relationships, and death; the historical back- ground at the time of the racial war in Haiti is illustrated; the English and French versions are examined. Secondly, the three works that were inspired by Kleist's Novelle are analyzed: A play by Kleist's contemporary Theodor Körner, and two operas by the modern composers Winfried Zillig and Werner Egk.