"Palimpsests on German Reunification: Functions of Theodor Fontane's Novels and Poetry in Guenter Grass' ""Too Far Afield"""
Thesz, Nicole Astra
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/86334
Description
Title
"Palimpsests on German Reunification: Functions of Theodor Fontane's Novels and Poetry in Guenter Grass' ""Too Far Afield"""
Author(s)
Thesz, Nicole Astra
Issue Date
2002
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Schoeps, Karl-Heinz
Department of Study
Germanic Languages and Literatures
Discipline
Germanic Languages and Literatures
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Literature, Germanic
Language
ger
Abstract
To date, this dissertation is the first detailed examination of the intertextuality in Grass' Too Far Afield. The study applies literary theories on intertextuality to determine the function and significance of references. At the same time, it integrates the aspect of reception, since the reader's knowledge of Fontane's oeuvre is strongly influenced by the interpretation of Grass' text. The analysis of citations reveals that Grass selectively chooses quotations to serve his main purpose---the whole-hearted criticism of German reunification---while frequently distorting the original meaning. However, by presenting several different voices, Grass does attempt to provide a balanced and honest picture of Fontane's political and artistic position---and to be sure, in this order. Intertextuality in Too Far Afield recreates the polyphony and the subtly ironical atmosphere of Fontane's texts and can perhaps be understood as a tribute, albeit one that includes a critical gaze.
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