History Commons^™

Iris Von Roten As A Feminist: Observations, Interpretations, And Impact Of Frauen Im Laufgitter, Regina Wecker

Swiss American Historical Society Review

PART ONE

ASPECTS OF AN IDENTITY

When Iris von Roten published her book Frauen im Laufgitter. Offene Worte zur Stellung der Frau (Women in the Playpen. Plain Words About the Situation of Women) in 1958, it caused a scandal. Her analysis of women's present social status and their political and economic situation in Switzerland was repudiated, von Roten and her book were showered with scorn, hatred, and ridicule, and even made the subject of a carnival farce in Basel (Kochli 1992: 101-118). Frauen im Laufgitter and its author were called "cold" and soulless, though it was rumored that …

Book Review: Literary Freedom And Social Constraints In The Works' Of Gertrud Leutenegger., Laura Villiger

Swiss American Historical Society Review

In and around Switzerland Gertrud Leutennegger ranks among the wellknown contemporary Swiss writers. As yet, however, her work has not been translated and its reception has therefore been limited to German-speaking countries. Margrit Zinggeler' s study thus comes as a welcome introduction to Leutenegger' s writings that is designed for a general as well as specialized readership. As Zinggeler makes clear at the outset of her investigation, when Gertrud Leutenegger first started to write in the early 1970's, her artistic independence signaled a turning point in Swiss women writing. Luckily, the author has never since compromised her inner vision and …