German Language and Literature Commons^™

Demian: Ein Weg Zu "Amor Fati", Wayne D. Nuss

Dissertations and Theses

Demian has the characteristics of a Bildungsroman and an allegory, and may be put into either classification. However, rather than squeeze the work into some literary mould and end up with an "ugly duckling," one can look upon Demian as the 40-year-old Hesse's world view presented in literary form, which in fact is the development of a life-formula, "amor fati." Demian then becomes a "beautiful swan."

The thesis is constructed in three main sections, looking at Demian from different perspectives: Demian as a Bildungsroman: Demian as an allegory; Demian as a life-formula.

The work contains the qualifications of a …

Die Prostituierte In Frank Wedekinds Dramen, Philip A. Mellen

Dissertations and Theses

The prostitute and the concept of prostitution played a meaningful role in both Frank Wedekind's life and his dramatic efforts. From his early youth to the writing of his drama Schloss Wetterstein (1910), Wedekind remained deeply interested in the personal, social and philosophical problems generated by the existence of the prostitute and what he imagined her sensually based philosophy of life to be. Four of Wedekind's dramas were dealt with, which seem to be representative of his struggle to vindicate his own corresponding philosophy of sensuality.

The first drama, Elins Erweckung (Elin's Awakening-1887), is important as his first drama dealing …

Die Gestalt Der Frau In Ausgewählten Dramen George Kaisers, Wolfgang H. Justen

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis' focuses on the characterization of the "woman", who occupies a very prominent part in the dramatic works of playwright Georg Kaiser (1878-1945). The purpose of this study is twofold: the first part re-examines the early plays Die judische Witwe (1910) and Europa (1910) and basically re-affirms the findings that Judith and Europa are "elementary beings", driven by only one force, their overpowering sexual desire. It can be pointed out, though, that already in these plays Kaiser turned toward mythology - which includes Old and New Testament for him - in the choice of his protagonists.

The examination of …

Die Gestaltung Des Raumes In Den Dramen Ernst Barlachs, Dieter Helmut Engelhardt

Dissertations and Theses

The importance of spatial spheres in dramas has only slightly been researched. On the whole this problem has been considered relatively unimportant. Ever since the publication of Lessing's Laokoon the distinguishing characteristic of a literary work was considered to be the element of "time", in contradistinction to works of the visual arts (painting and sculpture) where "space" was primary. It will be demonstrated that in Barlach's plays space assumes considerable importance. Although the dramatic concern is primarily expressed through successive dialogues and monologues, Barlach's language nevertheless can imaginatively create spatial spheres different from those visible on stage. Both spheres of …

Die Idee Der Neuen Welt In Fritz Von Unruhs Trilogie Ein Geschlecht, Paul Otto Soumokil

Dissertations and Theses

Fritz: von Unruh, who lives at Oranienhof in Diez an der Lahn, was born in 1885. He wrote the first two parts of his trilogy Ein Geschlecht during the literary movement in Germany which is known as "Expressionismus". The yet unpublished third part was not finished until 1958. It was in this trilogy that he developed his ideas of a new world.

The upheaval and destruction of World War I shattered the complacency of life and traditions which had so long been ingrained in Europe. This traumatic experience resulted in a new examination of life, its meaning and sense. The …

Der Richter Und Der Gerechte In Dürrenmatts Dramen, Helga Schlichtherle

Dissertations and Theses

In each of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's ten plays that appeared between 1946 and 1965 there are two protagonists. One of them is powerful and egocentric, strives for fame and power and challenges the world. To destroy his rivals he becomes a 'Judge', sometimes even an executioner.

His antagonist is humble and pious, believes in God, and considers life as God's gift. Christian ethics determine his decisions. He is the 'Righteous'.

Dürrenmatt's work divides into four periods which reflect the author’s times and beliefs.

The first three plays (Es steht geschrieben, Der Blinde, Romulus der Grosse show hope for a better world …

Das Satirische Element In Den Werken Nestroys, Walter Pauler

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis proposes to show the satirical element in the works of Nestroy. Nestroy was playwright and actor, producer and director. His dramatic art represents the highest development in the three hundred year tradition of the "Wiener Volkstheater". For this reason, the thesis begins with a summary of the evolution of the "Wiener Volkstheater".

Following a brief chapter appraising comedy, various definitions of satire have been summarized. The theories have been examined with the intention of finding a general definition of the genre. It has been concluded that each author of satire has an individualized style and use of satire, …

Die Moabiter Sonette; Letzte Gedichte Und Gedanken Albrecht Haushofers, Richard S. Kemmler

Dissertations and Theses

Albrecht Haushofer wrote the Moabiter Sonette while confined in a Nazi prison in Berlin during the last months of World War II. His arrest resulted from his indirect involvement in the resistance movement which culminated with the July 20, 1944 attempt on Hitler’s life.

From 1933 to his arrest Haushofer was directly and indirectly involved in work aimed at overthrowing Hitler’s regime and forming a new government. Through his father’s friend, Rudolf Heß, Haushofer was ‘inofficially’ appointed in 1933 to the Foreign Office under Ribbentrop. His effect on German government policies was however nil. In 1937 he left the Foreign …

The Image Of The Habsburg Empire In Joseph Roth's Radetzkymarsch And Die Kapuzinergruft, Deborah O'Dell

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores Joseph Roth's image of the Habsburg Empire es depicted in two of his works, namely Radetzkymarsch (1932) and Die Kapuzinergruft (1938).

Joseph Roth is perhaps the chronicler par excellence of the Habsburg Empire. Among the authors who have attempted, through their works, to come to grips with fin de siecle Austria, he has remained relatively unknown. However, Roth was keenly aware of the Monarchy's ultimate decline and fall. Losing the Monarchy was his most intense experience and his personal involvement with the Empire plays a dominant role in these novels. Hence, Chapter I provides a biographical sketch. …

Franz Michael Felder: Bregenzerwalder Dorfgeschichten Und Schriften, Eine Erziehungsstudie, Richard Deal Stones

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is the first known study to analyze the writings of the Austrian, Franz Michael Felder, as an educative device, which the author himself utilized to enlighten and instruct his country folk in Bregenzerwald, Vorarlberg.

An attempt is made to uncover the basic message inherent in all of Felder's works: close family relationship, high moral standards and diligence are important to him; he fights petty prejudice, meaningless tradition and hypocrisy. The many native customs peculiar to the region are, of course, immanent in his literary production and, what is particularly significant, he stages a continuous battle against the social …