Oppression In Austrian Literature Analysis
Rose Morgan
SF 13323156
„Zeitgenössische österreichische Literatur“
Dr. Caitríona Leahy
Oppression and the loss of personal identity found in three contemporary Austrian literary works.
A properly evolved personal identity is a key part of the human psyche, as it ensures individuality and a positive self-esteem. In a broader sense, identity creates communities and the feeling of belonging. True contentment is an individual knowing who they are, and being accepted for it. Where identity is lost (or dismissed as something lesser) so too is the sense of belonging. The three works of contemporary Austrian literature analysed in this essay deal with the loss of personal identity through oppression, a recurring theme for much of the literature
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31: Iss. 1, Article 12.
Austrian author Erich Hackl’s 1989 novel Abschied von Sidonie tells the true story of a young Romani girl, adopted and raised in an Austrian community that fundamentally rejects her as she does not fit its mould; rendered an outsider, she is stripped of her identity, cast out and meets a tragic end. Hackl’s novel is a cautionary tale that highlights the unethical and criminal behaviour towards Romani people during WW2, and how quickly a conformist society will diminish a young child’s personal and social
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Chapter 2 sees Josepha bringing Sidonie to the town’s doctor – a sympathetic man, particularly towards those who struggle financially. Instead of helping, the doctor asks her why she would bring ‘the black’ to him who ‘doesn’t belong here’.7 g 41 Abschied Here Hackl displays the bigoted mind-set of the townspeople: an educated, fair man’s refusal to aid a sick baby because she is inferior in his eyes. Throughout the novel Sidonie is referred to as ‘that black thing’ and a ‘negro’ by members of the community. A decade of her life passes in Steyr and the racism does not seem to alleviate, rather it worsens. As World War 2 approaches and finally breaks out, there is a general discomfort with Sidonie’s existence in the town. The Linz newspaper, the Tagepost, urges Austrians ‘consolidate their battle against the gypsy plague’. Though raised from infancy in an Austrian family, Sidonie is still made to feel like an outsider even within her own peer group –
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