"Continuation, Avoidance, Renewal: The Discourse of German Writers on America in the Wake of September 11, 2001"
This dissertation seeks to contribute to studies of the German perception of "America" at the beginning of the 21st century by analyzing the reactions of eight German authors to the terror attacks of September 11. By using the attacks as a probe for the continuation or modification of a long-lasting discourse on the United States of America and their role in the world, I give fresh insights into the (changing) view of the "New World" in a post-unified Germany. First, I provide an overview of the historical ambivalences of “America” in the German discourse since the 18th century. Then, I analyze the reactions of the eight writers, four of them being younger and less known, four of them being rather renowned and distinguished, often dubbed as "usual suspects" when it comes to commenting public affairs. The first group did not publish any commentaries on the terror attacks. Instead, Kathrin Roeggla, Else Buschheuer, Durs Gruenbein, and Max Goldt published some form of a diary to express their immediate impressions and feelings. In contrast, Peter Schneider, Hans Christoph Buch, Guenter Grass and Hans Magnus Enzensberger made use of the mass media in order to comment on the terror attacks and to assess the consequences. By comparing and close reading the texts of these authors, I bring attention to the continuity and the ruptures in the underlying narratives on "America". As my systemization suggests, three strands of a discourse on the United States can be identified. While the reactions of three authors show a very ambivalent and emotional attitude toward the United States, which is more or less open to traditional sentiments, another three authors consciously try to avoid those patterns, displaying an intentional indifference and sobriety. However, only a minority of two authors opens new perspectives by promoting a critical, yet unexcited image of "America" in their texts.