"Palimpsests on German Reunification: Functions of Theodor Fontane's Novels and Poetry in Guenter Grass' ""Too Far Afield"""

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Germanic Languages and Literatures

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Thesz, Nicole Astra

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schoeps, Karl-Heinz

• Literature, Germanic

Language dc:language

ger

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3044241

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86334