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"Über allen Menschen und Dingen lag . . . ein Hauch von Zwiespältigkeit. . . .": Dualism and Division in the Novels of Marlen Haushofer
| Title: | "Über allen Menschen und Dingen lag . . . ein Hauch von Zwiespältigkeit. . . .": Dualism and Division in the Novels of Marlen Haushofer |
| Author: | Gracanin, Maja S. |
| Description: | The quintessentially modern human being, Marlen Haushofer (1920-1970) spent her fifty years on earth torn between an innate spirituality, and the cynicism and nihilism provoked by the modern age. The dualism of her fundamental world-view permeated every facet of her reality and resulted in a body of literary work that is defined by division and contradiction. This study examines these elements present in the Haushofer novels, and in the masterful novella, Wir Töten Stella. The investigation seeks to elucidate Haushofer's dualistic and contradictory perceptions through analysis of two major themes: nature, and the relationship between men and women. Nature plays a vital role in the Haushofer oeuvre and represents the chief means through which the author conveys her ontological struggles. Depiction of the male and female has been of great interest to feminist critics. Many see in Haushofer an early feminist and an ardent critic of male culture, and of patriarchy. Scrutiny of the works leads to a rather complex conclusion. Haushofer's views on the subject are dualistic, and also extraordinarily replete with contradiction. Traditionallly "male" and "female" characteristics are liberally apportioned to both sexes. While overt criticism of men abounds, male figures are at times portrayed quite positively. The presentation of female characters is surprisingly negative. Ultimately, it is difficult to determine Haushofer's position regarding not only the sexes, but nearly every other aspect of life. Only one pronouncement can be made with true conviction: with few exceptions, Marlen Haushofer was unable to commit to a given position on any given subject. The tension between opposites is the defining quality of her work. |
| Permanent Link: |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998051739
http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/11351 |
| Date: | 2001 |
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