Bernhard Schlink's Der Vorleser and the Problem of Shame

Author: Niven B.¹

Source: The Modern Language Review, Volume 98, Number 2, 1 April 2003 , pp. 381-396(16)

Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association

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Abstract:

Bernhard Schlink's novel Der Vorleser has been criticized for portraying a concentration-camp guard, Hanna Schmitz, as a victim of illiteracy for whom the reader is supposed to feel pity. In contrast to this, it is here argued that Hanna Schmitz comes across not as a victim of illiteracy, but as an evasive individual who consistently refuses to face the shame this illiteracy causes her. In addition, the article contends that Hanna's development in prison is deeply compromised; Der Vorleser is not the Bildungsroman many take it to be.

Keywords: Schlink's; Der Vorleser; illiteracy; shame; Bildungsroman

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: The Nottingham Trent University

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