Elemental Perspectives: An Approach to German 20th and 21st Century Ecofeminist Novels

Abstract

Elemental Perspectives: An Approach to German 20th and 21st Century Ecofeminist Novels explores how German-language fiction by women authors uses the elements of earth, water, air, and fire to challenge traditional literary conventions and highlight the connections between ecology, agency, and gender. Key texts include Christa Wolf’s Störfall: Nachrichten eines Tages (Accident: A Day’s News, 1987 [2001]), Karen Duve’s Regenroman (Rain, 1999 [2003]), Marion Poschmann’s Schwarzweissroman (2005), and Seraina Kobler’s Regenschatten (2020). This project addresses how these authors respond to the climate emergency, represent non-human agency, distinguish their literary voices, and develop gender-specific themes. It recognizes that traditional discourses often marginalize non-human entities and, by adopting a more-than-human perspective, reveals narratives that acknowledge non-human agency. Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, this dissertation examines the evolution of literary and environmental thought, contributing to environmental justice discourse. Ultimately, it advocates for a more inclusive representation of agency in literature as well as fosters a compassionate and sustainable relationship with the non-human world.