His first book, influenced by the early Lukacs and Adorno, uses a thematic approach to explore the impact of a modern industrial society on the structure of Expressionist drama.
[7] In this study Hohendahl emphasizes the radical nature of Adorno's theory, going beyond the standard claim of aesthetic autonomy.
Adorno's interest in the connection between formal and social structures can be found in Hohendahl's renewed engagement with German modernism, especially in his work on Ernst Jünger.
[8] Hohendahl's later writings reflect his persistent interest in two areas, the history and future of higher education, both in the United States and Germany, and the relevance of political theory for the formation of the cultural sphere.
His analysis highlights Schmitt's role in the political discourse of post-war Germany and his significant impact on the American discussion of European colonialism and its military consequences.