East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 12-2005 Catastrophe and Identity in Post-War German Literature. Aaron Dennis Horton East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Horton, Aaron Dennis, "Catastrophe and Identity in Post-War German Literature." (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1061. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1061 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Catastrophe and Identity in Post-War German Literature ____________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of History East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History ____________________ by Aaron Horton December 2005 ____________________ Stephen G. Fritz, PhD, Chair Professor Christa Hungate William D. Burgess Jr., PhD Keywords: Germany, literature, novels, identity, memory ABSTRACT Catastrophe and Identity in Post-War German Literature by Aaron Horton The purpose of this study is to examine selected German literature dealing with issues of history and identity in light of the catastrophic reshaping of society after World War II and reunification. The research process will involve an examination of selected authors and their works that are most relevant to the topic. In order to provide a clear understanding not only of important literary themes but also of the appropriate historical context, attention will be devoted to providing biographical information in addition to critical literary analysis.