The picture of the child in the Germany story after 1945, (1): childhood without childhood

Abstract

The German short story (die Kurzgeschichte) flourished after 1945, and became “the pride of German post-war literature“ (Reich-Ranicki) because of topical themes and commitment. The chapter on Childhood Without Childhood analyses the pictures children in a world whose normal order and peace are disturbed by the horrors of war (death, ruin, famine). Taking over the role of the grown-ups (fathers) upon themselves, the little heroes oppose the eviland defend the integrity of the family. They also establish partnership with the grown-up community because salvation from danger would not be possible without help. However, the society of the grown-ups and their egotistic aspirations towards comfort is a threat to children forthey soon forget the tragedy not realising that “the war will not end as long as one would caused by war is bleeding“ (Boll). Six anthological short stories written between 1945 and 1950 show in a touching way the love of the authors (Borchert-Rinser-Böll) toward the child as their basic attitude toward the subject-matter, which partly stems from their biographical-autobiographical links to the theme of wounded and unprotected childhood threatened by war. Although war is recognized and accused as the external cause, no alternative is offered to the physical destruction and mental disturbance of the child, except in death as the way out of the sufferings in this world.