Wolfgang Borchert: A Representative of "Trümmerliteratur"?

Abstract

This investigation examines whether Wolfgang Borchert's short stories are representative of "Trümmerliteratur". By "Trümmerliteratur" I am referring to that short period in 20th century German Literature which was manifested by the causes and effects of World War II (1945-1947). Borchert's biographical data, the events leading to the emergence of "Trümmerliteratur" and a definition for and discussion of this literary phenomenon, and an analysis of four of Borchert's "Kurzgeschichten", ''Die Hundeblume", "Vier Soldaten", "Der Kaffee ist undefinierbar", and "Er hatte auch viel Ärger mit den Kriegen", are presented. Investigation includes as well an extensive bibliography.