Suicide in East German literature

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This first comprehensive study of fictional suicides in East German literature explores the intricate rhetoric of the GDR and the literary qualities of its works. Contrary to the prevailing view that the authoritarian regime led to a disproportionate number of real suicides, which fictional representations merely reflect, Robert Blankenship argues that these literary suicides possess rich attributes such as intertextuality, haunting, epistolarity, and innovative narrative techniques. Rather than serving as straightforward reflections of societal despair, these fictional suicides reveal a subversive potential that transcends mere historical representation. Blankenship asserts that GDR literature should be approached with a literary lens, emphasizing that its politically charged context enhances, rather than diminishes, its literary value. This study offers valuable insights for scholars of GDR literature, those in the humanities exploring the theme of suicide, and anyone interested in the complex interplay between literature and history.