View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Sydney eScholarship Theodor Wolff, the Writer in Exile 1933 – 1943 by Reingard Porges A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2006 Department of Germanic Studies and Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies The University of Sydney Acknowledgements I wish to thank my supervisors, Professor Konrad Kwiet, Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies and Dr. Kenneth J. Moulden, Department of Germanic Studies, for the provision of their time, experience and advice. I have appreciated their constructive criticism and guidance during the development of this thesis. I would also like to acknowledge the interest, support and generous assistance given by Professor Bernd Sösemann from the Arbeitsstelle für Kommunikationsgeschichte und interkulturelle Publizistik (AKIP) at the Freie Universität Berlin. Throughout my candidature I received valuable assistance from Dr. Dirk Moses, Department of History, University of Sydney and Prof. Olaf Reinhardt, German Studies, University of New South Wales. Generous contributions were made by many friends and I hope I will be given the opportunity to reciprocate. Carolyn Hayes, Jean Bailey, Faye Brinsmead, Dr. Siew Jin Ooi and Jim Nicklin guided me through the project and for this I am grateful. I would like to thank the staffmembers of the following libraries, archives and research centres who have supported me in this project: • The Staff of the Document Supply Section of Fisher Library, University of Sydney; • Prof. Bernd Sösemann and Bettina Oehlert. Arbeitsstelle für Kommunikationsgeschichte und interkulturelle Publizistik, Freie Universität Berlin Theodor Wolff Projekt; • Mr. Gregor Pickro. Bundesarchiv Koblenz; • Beate Volkenrath. Institut für Zeitungsforschung Dortmund; • Adela Clayton. Research Centre.Australian War Memorial Canberra; • Dr. Hermann Simon and Sabine Hank. Neue Synagoge Berlin. Centrum Judaicum; • Caroline Lamey-Utku. Archiv des Instituts für Zeitgeschichte München; • Aurélie Audeval. Centre de documentation juive contemporaine (CDJC) Paris; • Schiller-Nationalmuseum / Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach; • Sammlung Exil-Literatur und Deutsches Exilarchiv 1933 – 1945. Deutsche Bibliothek, Frankfurt am Main; • Archiv des Jüdischen Museums Berlin; • Jewish Museum Sydney; • Marion Neiss. Zentrum für Antisemitismusforschung Berlin. I want to express my gratitude to the community of St. Andrew’s College, University of Sydney, for providing an atmosphere which fosters academic achievement. The emergence of this thesis after a difficult gestation was aided by my husband William, whose constructive comments, encouragement and patience has been crucial, especially towards the end of the project - I am most grateful. I also wish to thank my son Martin, who has contributed to the thesis in his own special way from the other side of the globe, through constant encouragement and generous hospitality during my frequent visits to Germany. ii Abstract This study examines the effect of exile on Theodor Wolff’s writings from 1933 to 1943. Wolff, a highly assimilated German Jew and renowned journalist and editor- in-chief of the ‘Berliner Tageblatt’ from 1906-1933, was one of the most influential cultural and liberal political commentators during World War I and the Weimar Republic. His political life and influence has been extensively researched, whereas his life in exile has not been explored. Enforced sudden exile in 1933 represented a turning point in Wolff’s life. Following the temporal sequence of Wolff’s ten years in exile, this study is divided into four chapters, starting with the early exile years from 1933 to 1936, followed by the immediate pre World War II period. The third chapter covers the German invasion and occupation of France in 1940. The last chapter sheds light on the two final years from 1942 to 1943. These four periods reflect his exile experience and gradual decline in living conditions, mood, and fundamental changes in his approach to writing. In exile Wolff devotes his time and effort to historical accounts and fiction – a difficult genre for a publicist and journalistic writer. He also embarks on autobiographical writings and during his final years in exile deals with the Jewish catastrophe unfolding in Nazi controlled Europe, raising issues concerning the so called ‘Jewish Problem’. This study draws attention to the effect exile had on an important German- Jewish writer, who in 1943 fell victim to the Holocaust. Wolff’s works, especially his exile writings survived the war and remain relevant today. The findings of this research provide some insight into a turbulent period in German and European history that drastically changed many lives. It also makes a significant contribution to the study of Theodor Wolff and to exile studies in general. iii CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I ABSTRACT III INTRODUCTION 1 Exile Studies – Definitions and Critical Issues 2 Exile Studies – Review of the Literature 7 Theodor Wolff – Review of the Literature 14 Research and Sources 18 Overview 23 CHAPTER ONE: EARLY EXILE 1933 – 1936 27 LIFE IN EXILE 27 Exile Life in Nice 33 Reticence to Join Journalists in Exile 37 WRITING IN EXILE 44 Der Marsch durch zwei Jahrzehnte: Reflections on the Past 44 Notes sur l`histoire de la presse: Reflections on Freedom of Expression 64 Public Opinion 68 The Press 72 The Journalist 75 iv CHAPTER TWO: TURNING POINT IN EXILE 1937 80 RETURN TO FICTION WRITING 80 Die Schwimmerin: Roman aus der Gegenwart 80 Typology 96 Bildungsroman 96 Schlüsselroman 98 Zeitroman 99 Class Conflict 102 Generational Conflict 107 The Role of Women 109 Loss of Law and Order 112 Economic Turmoil 116 Exilroman 118 CHAPTER THREE: SECOND EXILE 1940 125 LIFE IN EXILE 125 Life under the Vichy Government 126 Reticence to leave Europe 131 Refuge on a French Farm 137 WRITING IN EXILE 139 La Terrasse in der Gascogne: Autobiographical Reflections 139 Identity 143 Memory 148 Nature and Exile 151 v Topics 157 Childhood, Youth and Early Career 157 Freedom of Expression 159 Friends 167 Travels 170 CHAPTER FOUR: FINAL YEARS IN EXILE AND THE ‘JEWISH QUESTION’ 1941-1943 173 LIFE IN EXILE 173 Life under Italian Occupation 173 WRITING IN EXILE 179 Das Grabmal des Unbekannten Soldaten 179 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Equality 182 Antisemitism – Inequality 185 ‘Die Juden’ 201 Antisemitism 204 Race 207 Zionism 208 The Future 213 THE END 215 CONCLUSION 224 APPENDIX : DIE SCHWIMMERIN, ROMAN AUS DER GEGENWART, SYNOPSIS. 229 vi BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ARCHIVES 231 Archives 231 Theodor Wolff’s Works written in Exile 232 Theodor Wolff’s Articles written in Exile: 233 Theodor Wolff’s Works 234 Secondary Literature 235 vii .