The image of Germany and the Germans in Erica Jong’s "Fear of Flying " and Walter Abish’s "How German Is It "

Examination Thesis , 2007 , 68 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Comparative Literature

During the last two centuries the American perception of Germany has periodically shifted as both countries have been rivals, friends, opponents and most recently allies. This has also been mirrored in the periodically changing American picture of Germany and the Germans, which over the years generated an abundance of stereotypes. While on the one hand, positive images have emerged such as the ‘naturally virtuous and scholarly German,’ there have been, on the other hand, numerous negative generalizations, for example, the ‘hard drinking and violent Teuton.’
These notions were often formed through hearsay, personal experiences and encounters with Germans at home and abroad, through literature and political-social relations between the United States and Germany. They are often persistently maintained, have resisted any revision and are frequently regarded as the standard of thought. The role of American literature in creating, sustaining and perpetuating images continues to be of particular importance and this needs to be examined if one wishes to understand how a wide range of long-lasting German stereotypes came into existence. The images of Germany and the Germans which are projected in the works of numerous American writers, including Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe, Erica Jong and Walter Abish, have become core images found in travelogues, novels, poetry and short fiction.
This thesis surveys the images of Germany and the Germans in American literature from the late 19th to the end of the 20th century, and proceeds to focus on two selected works: Walter Abish’s How German is It (1980) and Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying (1973). Abish’s novel is a natural choice for an endeavor of this nature as it is both an extensive and intensive exploration of images attributed to German identity. Jong’s novel, on the other hand, is an exploration of individual identity in a German setting and has been selected because of its enormous role in the relatively new field of women’s studies.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Images of Germany and the Germans in American Literature from the Late 19th to the End of the 20th Century.
  • National Images and Stereotypes in Literature
  • The Late 19th Century to the Turn of the 20th Century.
  • The Country's Changing Image through World War I and II.
  • Postwar Germany through the Late 1990's.
• The Depiction of Germany and the Germans in Walter Abish's How German Is It
  • Displayed German Virtues and Characteristics.
    • Obedience.
    • Perfection and Thoroughness
    • Cleanliness and Punctuality.
    • The Love of Nature.
  • The Country's Cultural Heritage and Past.
    • A Nation of Poets and Thinkers'.
    • Castles, Classical Music and Art..
    • National Socialism and the Holocaust.
  • The Image of the 'New Germany'.
    • Brumholdstein and the People of the 'New Germany'
    • Technology and Cars......
    • Lifestyle and Food..
• The Depiction of Germany and the Germans in Erica Jong's Fear of Flying.
  • Displayed German Virtues and Characteristics....
    • Cleanliness...
    • The German Woman
    • Ugliness.
  • The Country's Cultural Heritage and Past.
    • 'Old Heidelberg'.
    • Germany's Dark Past: National Socialism and the Holocaust.
  • The Images of Postwar Germany.
    • German 'Father Figures'
    • The German Countryside
    • Lifestyle and Food...
• The Quest for Identity in How German Is It and Fear of Flying............
  • How German Is It: The Discovery of 'Germanness'?
  • Fear of Flying: Finding One's Own Identity Abroad
• Summary and Conclusion........
• Bibliography......

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the images of Germany and the Germans in American literature from the late 19th to the end of the 20th century, focusing on two specific works: Walter Abish's How German is It (1980) and Erica Jong's Fear of Flying (1973). The study explores how these works contribute to the complex and evolving American perception of Germany, examining the interplay between historical context, cultural stereotypes, and individual experiences.

• The evolution of American perceptions of Germany and the Germans throughout the 20th century.
• The role of literature in shaping and perpetuating national stereotypes.
• The portrayal of German virtues, characteristics, and cultural heritage in American literature.
• The impact of historical events, such as World War II and the Cold War, on American perceptions of Germany.
• The exploration of individual identity in a German context, as depicted in the chosen novels.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter provides a historical overview of the changing images of Germany and the Germans in American literature from the late 19th to the end of the 20th century. It examines the influence of political relations between the United States and Germany, as well as the role of encounters with the "Other," in shaping American perceptions of Germany. The chapter explores how these perceptions are reflected in various literary works, highlighting the development of both positive and negative stereotypes.

Chapter two delves into the depiction of Germany and the Germans in Walter Abish's How German is It. It analyzes the novel's portrayal of German virtues and characteristics, including obedience, perfectionism, cleanliness, and the love of nature. The chapter also examines the novel's representation of Germany's cultural heritage and past, including its history of poetry, music, art, and the shadow of National Socialism. Finally, it explores the novel's depiction of the "New Germany," focusing on its technological advancements, lifestyle, and food culture.

Chapter three focuses on Erica Jong's Fear of Flying and its portrayal of Germany and the Germans. It analyzes the novel's depiction of German virtues and characteristics, including cleanliness, the German woman, and the perception of ugliness. The chapter also examines the novel's representation of Germany's cultural heritage and past, including its romantic association with "Old Heidelberg" and the lingering impact of National Socialism. Finally, it explores the novel's depiction of postwar Germany, focusing on the role of German "father figures," the German countryside, and the country's lifestyle and food culture.

Chapter four examines the quest for identity in both How German Is It and Fear of Flying. It explores how the protagonists, Ulrich von Hargenau and Isadora Wing, confront numerous stereotypes about Germany and are challenged to question their own identities. The chapter analyzes Ulrich's search for "Germanness" in Abish's novel and Isadora's search for her own identity in Germany in Jong's novel.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The keywords and focus themes of the text encompass the image of Germany and the Germans in American literature, national stereotypes, cultural heritage, postwar Germany, individual identity, and the novels How German Is It by Walter Abish and Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. The analysis explores the evolution of American perceptions of Germany, the role of literature in shaping these perceptions, and the impact of historical events on the portrayal of Germany in American literature.

• College: University of Paderborn
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Ulrike Miske (Author)
• Publication Year: 2007
• Pages: 68
• Catalog Number: V115289
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640159314
• ISBN (Book): 9783640166619
• Language: English
• Tags: Germany, Germans, Erica, Jong’s, Fear, Flying, Walter, Abish’s, German