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G.W. Pabst and the New Objectivity: Social Criticism and the Loss of Idealism in the Weimar Republic

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Between the years of 1919 and 1933, the Weimar Republic was a world leader in art and entertainment. However, it was also torn apart by severe economic depressions and political violence. This intense atmosphere provided a powerful context for the art and films of the period. As the political and economic tides shifted, the style of painting and filmmaking changed, as well. The idealistic Expressionist art of the years immediately following the optimistic revolution subsided as a sober realism emerged. This New Objectivity was both evident in the paintings of artists such as Otto Dix and George Grosz, as well as in the films of G.W. Pabst. However, within the changing artistic and social climate of Weimar Germany, Pabst has received little attention by scholars. This thesis contextualizes G.W. Pabst, one of Weimar's leading film directors, within the artistic transitions and social climate of the era, specifically analyzing issues of class and gender within his silent features.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Communication Studies
Department dc:contributor.department
Communication Studies
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Harrington, Matthew David
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Prince, Stephen R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • McAllister, Matthew
  • Stahl, John D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-02202002-154403
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/31286

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Harrington, Matthew David. G.W. Pabst and the New Objectivity: Social Criticism and the Loss of Idealism in the Weimar Republic. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31286