Language:
English
Year of publication:
2002
Titel der Quelle:
Modern Language Review
Angaben zur Quelle:
97,2 (2002) 336-352
Keywords:
Böll, Heinrich,
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
Abstract:
Discusses Böll's ideas about Jews in the context of West Germany's "coming to terms with the past" in the late 1950s. Disagrees with the charge that Böll was an antisemite, and sees him rather as an embodiment of vexation and ambivalence. Criticizes Böll for implying that Germans and non-Germans, particularly Jews, suffered equally. He focused on his own suffering during the war and that of other Germans, e.g. simple soldiers, with whom he identified. The three non-fictional works by Böll analyzed here yield the conclusion that victimization of "the Other", specifically the Jew, was not central to Böll and, thus, his memory work and mourning were lacking.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink