Julia Nordmann
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Childhood Bonds— Günter Grass, Martin Walser and Christa Wolf as Writers of the Hitler Youth Generation in Post-1945 and Post-1989 Germany Julia Nordmann Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 © 2012 Julia Nordmann All rights reserved ABSTRACT Childhood Bonds— Günter Grass, Martin Walser and Christa Wolf as Writers of the Hitler Youth Generation in Post-1945 and Post-1989 Germany Julia Nordmann Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, public discourse in German society has been repeatedly riven by debates prompted by three leading figures of the literary scene: Günter Grass, Martin Walser, and Christa Wolf. The tremendously emotional controversies regarding Wolf’s purported cowardice as a GDR-writer, Walser’s alleged anti-Semitism, and Grass’s membership in the Waffen-SS served to confirm the significance of these writers, which, I argue, stems not only from their literary merits, but also from their status as former members of the Hitler Youth. Building upon Sigrid Weigel’s claim that generations in post-war Germany act as symbols of the country’s relationship to the Nazi past, my dissertation elucidates the process by which Grass, Walser, and Wolf were adopted—and adopted themselves—as proxies for a “better Germany.” The biographies of these three writers, I argue, came to represent the overarching political goal of both post-war German states: the successful transition from an intimate association with the Nazi regime – in the authors’ case, their associations with the Hitler Youth – to a full embrace of democratic values. The conflation of the writers’ biographies with national identity explains their authority and popularity in both German societies. It also explains why the process of detachment from these writers as political figures began after 1990 as national identity changed after reunification. With the waning of the Hitler Youth generation’s dominance in the public sphere, a re-evaluation of the writers’ political and literary work, set against the backdrop of their generational identity, is long overdue. In four chapters, this dissertation examines key moments in the careers of Grass, Walser, and Wolf. I emphasize the striking similarities between the generational discourse of the two West-German writers and the East-German writer, while pointing out where their shared generational background led to distinct political agendas. I show that the literary output, self-understanding, and public reception of arguably the three most significant writers in the post-war Germanies cannot be understood without a consideration of this mutual historical-biographical legacy. My dissertation thus rewrites an important part of post-1945 and post-1989 cultural history. Table of Content Chapter One: Gruppe 47 and the two “First Generations” of Post-War German Authors .. 1 1. The Hitler Youth generation and the Privilege of Late Birth ................................................. 1 2. “Generation” and “Hitler Youth Generation”—Conceptual, Terminological, and Historical Considerations ....................................................................................................... 23 3. Dominance and Marginalization in the “First Generation” of Post-War German Authors —A Correction ...................................................................................................... 33 4. The Two “First Generations” of Post-War German Literature: Different Generations— Different Discourses ............................................................................................. 50 Chapter Two: Taking the Stage—Generational Thinking in the Early Political and Literary Work of Grass, Wolf, and Walser (1963-1979) ........................................................................ 69 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 69 1. Ten Years Make a Difference—Generations in Aus dem Tagebuch einer Schnecke (1972) and Hundejahre (1963) by Günter Grass .............................................................. 74 2. Re-thinking a Generation’s Embrace of Socialism—Christa Wolf’s Nachdenken über Christa T. (1968) ................................................................................................. 103 3. Walser versus Zeitgeist—The essay “Händedruck mit Gespenstern” (1979) from today’s perspective .......................................................................................................... 130 Conclusion. ............................................................................................................................ 148 i Chapter Three: Through the Eyes of a Child--Autobiography and Narrative Innocence (1976-2006) ................................................................................................................................. 151 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 151 1. Christa Wolf’s Kindheitsmuster (1976)—“Wie sind wir so geworden, wie wir heute sind?” ............................................................................................................................. 156 2. In defense of a childhood? Martin Walser's Ein springender Brunnen (1998) .................. 175 3. Innocence and Guilt in Günter Grass’ Beim Häuten der Zwiebel ...................................... 200 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 220 Chapter Four: Leaving the Stage—Post-Unification Literary Debates (1990–2010) ......... 226 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 226 1. Täterakte-Opferakte—Christa Wolf and the Stasi in Was bleibt (1990) and Stadt der Engel (2010) ........................................................................................ 230 2. Literature and Morality—The Walser Debates of 1998 and 2002 ..................................... 264 3. Fall of a Hero—Günter Grass’ Beim Häuten der Zwiebel .................................................. 297 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 315 Coda ........................................................................................................................................... 320 Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 322 ii Acknowledgments I have come to think of this dissertation not only as a work of scholarship but also as the product of my seven years at Columbia, which were influenced by great people, within academia and outside of it. Before thanking some of them individually, I want to express my gratitude to the Whiting Foundation, which provided crucial and generous support to finish this dissertation, as well as to Columbia’s Core Curriculum for entrusting me with a preceptorship in Contemporary Civilization. This inspiring teaching experience reminded me of how much I like sharing ideas with others and why I chose this profession. I would like to thank my advisors Andreas Huyssen and Mark Anderson of the German Department, as well as Samuel Moyn of Columbia’s History Department, all three of whom helped me to develop and refine my project at all stages of my work. Furthermore, I am indebted to Richard Korb and Jutta Schmiers-Heller for providing excellent teaching supervision, to Peggy Quisenberry for numerous friendly chats, and to Bill Dellinger, the silent superhero of the German Department, who seems to have an endless supply of chocolate and helpful advice. Among the kindest and most supportive people I have met at Columbia are Steven Mintz and Anne Goldfield, both of whom far exceeded my expectations of generosity and helpfulness. The list of friends and family who have influenced my writing process either directly or indirectly is long. I should start with the person to whom I owe the idea for the title of my dissertation and who offered help and endless support during a very difficult year. Thank you, Colin. iii I would also like to thank Fred, who proofread and edited this dissertation, helped me gain confidence in my writing skills and project, and has become a most reliable and caring friend. the “Mädels,” who helped me with footnotes and so much more, as well as all the other graduate students of the German Department, who have proven to be supportive and non- competitive colleagues and friends. Sam, my “office husband” of many years, whose friendship means a lot to me because it is honest and has turned me into a more thoughtful person. Megan and Mara, my two writer friends who, while being the most accomplished intellectuals, offered advice on non-academic concerns at a time when I really needed it. Nora, the eternal optimist, who let me stay in her spectacular Berlin Bauhaus during the fun and productive summer of 2011. Johanna, who is always there to listen and gives hugs that make this world a better place and me a calmer person. Dalia, who never ceases to make me laugh, and who made these years a fun experience— in spite of it all. my amazing friend Cornelia, who, because of a “pact” made eight years ago in a different life at the University of Freiburg, will