Der entfremdete Held in der modernen deutschen Kurzgeschichte : eine thematische Untersuchung

Abstract

Alienation, a characteristic of modern society, is also reflected in modern literature. In this dissertation, alienation in the modern German short story is examined on the hero in the short story. The dissertation commences with the concept alienation. The association of alienation with identity is also discussed. Thereafter, alienation is examined in various modern German short stories. Four categories are established: existential, institutional, technological and ideological alienation. Existential alienation occurs when the hero is alienated from his existence as human being. With institutional alienation various institutions such as marriage, school and government are portrayed as causes of alienation. These institutions force the hero to play a certain role or part; in this process he denies his own identity and is eventually alienated from himself and from society. Technological alienation occurs when the hero is alienated from his humanity by modern technology: by industrialization and automation. Ideological alienation occurs when the hero is alienated due to certain ideologies. In this dissertation it has been established that there is a definite link between alienation and identity: when the hero does not succeed in retaining his identity or asserting himself in society, he is alienated from himself and from society. There is also a link between communication and alienation: alienation is often accompanied by no or inadequate communication. Furthermore, it is evident that the alienated hero also displays certain characteristic behaviour: he either falls into a passive state of despair, which can lead to self-destroying acts, or withdraws from society and becomes an outsider. Introductory to the topic of alienation in the modern German short story, four categories are described in detail. The dissertation also indicates other research possibilities, such as communicative and religious alienation. Research on the aspect of alienation in the modern German novel would also be very actual.