Fathers and daughters in German literature

Representation of the relationship based on selected works

Based on the four works "Emilia Galotti", "Miss Sara Sampson", "Maria Magdalena" and "Homo Faber" various father-daughter relationships in German literature are examined in this thesis, which was awarded top marks.

In each of the works, the daughter figure tragically dies. Although I did not intentionally choose the four books for this reason at first, I found the motive so interesting that I stuck with my choice.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Foreword
• The murder of Virginia by her father Lucius Virginius for her protection
• Main part
• "Emilia Galotti" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
• Information about the work: Lessing's statement on the conception of the work
• Content of the tragedy
• The father figure "Odoardo Galotti" as a split personality
• The underage daughter figure "Emilia Galotti"
• Father-daughter relationship: The father's murder of the daughter at her request
• "Maria Magdalena" by Friedrich Hebbel
• Information about the work: The genesis of the final title
• Content of the bourgeois tragedy
• The dominant father figure "Master Anton"
• The daughter figure "Klara" as a victim of her environment
• Father-daughter relationship: Klara's suicide as a consequence of the oath demanded by the father
• "Miss Sara Sampson" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
• Information about the work: The typical bourgeois tragedy
• Content of the piece
• The father figure "Sir William Sampson" as the ideal image of a father
• The daughter character "Miss Sara Sampson" as an independent person
• Father-daughter relationship: Sara's feelings of guilt towards her father and forgiveness
• "Homo Faber" by Max Frisch
• Information about the work: The author Max Frisch
• Content of the novel
• The father figure "Walter Faber" and his transformation
• The daughter figure "Elisabeth Piper" as the opposite of her father
• Father-daughter relationship: Physical love based on ignorance
• Conclusion Psychological assessment of relationships from today's perspective
• Annex
• Bibliography
• Notes/References

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This specialist work aims to examine the dynamics of father-daughter relationships in German literature. The author analyzes four works focusing on the tragic fates of daughters, each meeting a different end. The analysis seeks to understand the complex interplay between fathers and daughters, highlighting the societal expectations, psychological pressures, and moral dilemmas that shape these relationships.

• The role of fathers in shaping their daughters' destinies
• The societal constraints imposed on women, particularly daughters
• The tragic consequences of societal and familial expectations
• The impact of social class and status on father-daughter relationships
• The evolving nature of the father-daughter dynamic across different historical periods

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introductory chapter explores the tragic relationship between Lucius Virginius and his daughter Virginia from Titus Livius' "Libri ab urbe condita III." This historical example sets the stage for the analysis of father-daughter relationships in German literature.

The main part of the work delves into the individual works: "Emilia Galotti" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, "Maria Magdalena" by Friedrich Hebbel, "Miss Sara Sampson" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, and "Homo Faber" by Max Frisch. Each chapter focuses on the characterization of the father and daughter figures, the complexities of their relationship, and the impact of social norms and expectations on their actions and outcomes.

The conclusion, while not summarized here, is likely to offer a modern, psychological assessment of the relationships analyzed in the main part, drawing insights from contemporary perspectives and theories.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core concepts explored in this work include father-daughter relationships, German literature, tragedy, societal expectations, moral dilemmas, psychological perspectives, and social class. The analysis draws upon works by prominent authors such as Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Friedrich Hebbel, and Max Frisch, examining diverse themes of social pressure, familial bonds, and the tragic consequences of societal norms.

Details

• Hochschule: Gymnasium Neubiberg
• Note: 1,0
• Autor: Sandra Lill (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2009
• Seiten: 30
• Katalognummer: V1181418
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346593689
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: fathers german representation