In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1617324535031658 |
| id |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu1617324535031658 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
oai_dc |
| spelling |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu16173245350316582021-08-03T07:16:59Z In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present King, Everett T. History Germanic Literature Stasi History German Studies Christa Wolf Monika Maron Wolf Biermann Thomas Brussig Wolfgang Hilbig German Reunification Secret police Censorship The East German Stasi stood among the most effective secret police forces in modern history, creating a surveillance apparatus that invaded all levels of society and affected many thousands of people, from ordinary citizens to the highest levels of the West German government. Artists and writers have long been preoccupied with the Stasi and have featured the organization in their productions since even the peak of the Cold War. Cultural productions like literature and film often serve as valuable “windows” into historical societies and the minds of those who dwelled therein, shedding light on values and norms that existed at the time, as well as the conditions that surrounded the publication of said productions.This study examines the portrayal of the Stasi in literature and film, starting during the Cold War in East German literature, moving to immediately after reunification, and ending in the twenty-first century. Specifically, it studies the general “character” of the organization as portrayed by various artists, and how these portrayals developed over time. This study draws on both history and German Studies as subjects, featuring intensive literature analysis and partial analysis of surveillance files, along with reference to a broad body of secondary research. This study shows that as time has passed, the portrayal of the Stasi in various media has become more nuanced and fact focused, owing to the increased amount of available information on the organization. Initially the organization is seen as a force of nature, with emphasis placed upon its mystery and influence. As time progressed, artists rejected the power of the Stasi by portraying them as human and fallible, occasionally as comedically incompetent. 2021-06-04 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1617324535031658 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1617324535031658 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
History Germanic Literature Stasi History German Studies Christa Wolf Monika Maron Wolf Biermann Thomas Brussig Wolfgang Hilbig German Reunification Secret police Censorship |
| spellingShingle |
History Germanic Literature Stasi History German Studies Christa Wolf Monika Maron Wolf Biermann Thomas Brussig Wolfgang Hilbig German Reunification Secret police Censorship King, Everett T. In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| author |
King, Everett T. |
| author_facet |
King, Everett T. |
| author_sort |
King, Everett T. |
| title |
In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| title_short |
In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| title_full |
In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| title_fullStr |
In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| title_full_unstemmed |
In the Shadow: Representations of the Stasi in Literature and Film from Cold War to Present |
| title_sort |
in the shadow: representations of the stasi in literature and film from cold war to present |
| publisher |
Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2021 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1617324535031658 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT kingeverettt intheshadowrepresentationsofthestasiinliteratureandfilmfromcoldwartopresent |
| _version_ |
1719457873314971648 |