Environmental Discourse in EISTAU Katie Earl Laura Fry.

Präsentation zum Thema: "Environmental Discourse in EISTAU Katie Earl Laura Fry."—  Präsentation transkript:

1 Environmental Discourse in EISTAU Katie Earl Laura Fry

2 The high level of environmental awareness among German citizens is a legitimate source of national pride Nature, Technology and Cultural Change in 20th Cent German Literature, p. vii.The high level of environmental awareness among German citizens is a legitimate source of national pride Nature, Technology and Cultural Change in 20th Cent German Literature, p. vii.

3 The narrator is inextricably linked to the Glacier throughout the narrative. The narrator is inextricably linked to the Glacier throughout the narrative. P.36 Ich sehe den Gletscher durch die zwei Scheiben, ein Feldstecherblick in meine Zukunft" P.36 Ich sehe den Gletscher durch die zwei Scheiben, ein Feldstecherblick in meine Zukunft" P. 51 Wir waren wie ein altes Liebespaar, einer von uns beiden war schwer erkrankt, und der andere konnte nichts dagegen unternehmen P. 51 Wir waren wie ein altes Liebespaar, einer von uns beiden war schwer erkrankt, und der andere konnte nichts dagegen unternehmen Emotional Attachment

4 Zeno preaches about his views but it falls on deaf ears. Zeno preaches about his views but it falls on deaf ears. P. 22 Es geht wieder los, die Verkleinerung der Natur vor laufenden Camcordern P. 22 Es geht wieder los, die Verkleinerung der Natur vor laufenden Camcordern P.87 Was für ein schöner Spätsommertag Dieser Gletscher ist tot, und Sie schlendern fröhlich vorbei. P.87 Was für ein schöner Spätsommertag Dieser Gletscher ist tot, und Sie schlendern fröhlich vorbei.

5 SOS as Art SOS action, presented as a Kunstwerk p.123. SOS action, presented as a Kunstwerk p.123. Catalyst for Zenos suicide. P.138 Der Augenblick in dem Kunst zu Wahrheit wird. Catalyst for Zenos suicide. P.138 Der Augenblick in dem Kunst zu Wahrheit wird.

6 By alligning the character of Zeno with the fate of the glacier, Trojanow foreshadows the eventual destruction of Antarctica at the end of the novel. By alligning the character of Zeno with the fate of the glacier, Trojanow foreshadows the eventual destruction of Antarctica at the end of the novel.

7 Human Intervention Novel is an observation and critique of human intervention in nature, various episodes demonstrate the destructive effects of human intervention. Novel is an observation and critique of human intervention in nature, various episodes demonstrate the destructive effects of human intervention. P.83 Alles wurde verwertet P.83 Alles wurde verwertet Alle haben dieselbe Verharmlosungssoftware heruntergeladen p. 83 Alle haben dieselbe Verharmlosungssoftware heruntergeladen p. 83 Mines on the beach, p.49 Soldaten sind die bestern Tierschützer, sage ich Mines on the beach, p.49 Soldaten sind die bestern Tierschützer, sage ich

8 P.144 Mrs Morgenthau. P.144 Mrs Morgenthau. Mrs Morgenthau fühlte sich dazu auserkoren, ein Unrecht ungeschehen zu machen, das Ei mit dem zukünftigen Leben unbeschadet dem brütenden Tier zurückzugeben, eine Absicht die ebenso nobel wie misverständlich war Mrs Morgenthau fühlte sich dazu auserkoren, ein Unrecht ungeschehen zu machen, das Ei mit dem zukünftigen Leben unbeschadet dem brütenden Tier zurückzugeben, eine Absicht die ebenso nobel wie misverständlich war

9 Soldier, p.114. Soldier, p.114. Der erste Soldate, der dem Schlauchboot entspringt, zündet sich sogleich eine Zigarette an und geht einige Schritte laneinwarts […] mitten durch die Pinguinkolonie Der erste Soldate, der dem Schlauchboot entspringt, zündet sich sogleich eine Zigarette an und geht einige Schritte laneinwarts […] mitten durch die Pinguinkolonie This is futile because Paulina points out Soldiers are always going to smoke (p.120) This is futile because Paulina points out Soldiers are always going to smoke (p.120) Zenos efforts to change mankind are therefore futile. Zenos efforts to change mankind are therefore futile.

10 Anaesthetised by Consumption Thus the novel discusses the idea that the majority of people cant see Zenos points about their damage to the environment anaesthetised by consumption we have ceased to see, hear and feel nature p.96, (A.Goodbody) Thus the novel discusses the idea that the majority of people cant see Zenos points about their damage to the environment anaesthetised by consumption we have ceased to see, hear and feel nature p.96, (A.Goodbody)

11 Zenos Character First person narrator allows us to identify with his beliefs and sympathise with the character First person narrator allows us to identify with his beliefs and sympathise with the character. However his increasingly extremist behaviour through the course of the novel encourages critique rather than sympathy, and ultimately undermines his arguments However his increasingly extremist behaviour through the course of the novel encourages critique rather than sympathy, and ultimately undermines his arguments

12 Relating to the Enlightenment. Zeno embodies an Enlightenment spirit. Zeno embodies an Enlightenment spirit. However his suicide demonstrates that this approach has been rendered redundant in todays society. However his suicide demonstrates that this approach has been rendered redundant in todays society. Something drastic needs to occur in order to reverse the tragic fate of Antarctica. Something drastic needs to occur in order to reverse the tragic fate of Antarctica.

13 Summary The underlying Environmental discourse is more important than ever before, education crucial. The underlying Environmental discourse is more important than ever before, education crucial. However, consumerism and modern life has dulled our senses so we are less receptive to these ideas. However, consumerism and modern life has dulled our senses so we are less receptive to these ideas. Zenos suicide foreshadows the demise of the glaciers and, as an extension, humankind itself. Zenos suicide foreshadows the demise of the glaciers and, as an extension, humankind itself. The novel critiques Zenos fierce enlightenment stance on protecting nature. The novel critiques Zenos fierce enlightenment stance on protecting nature.

14 Bibliography Primary Sources Trojanow, Ilija. Eistau. München : Hanser, c2011. Secondary Sources Trojanow, Ilija. Eistau. München : Hanser, c2011. Secondary Sources Goodbody, Axel (2007), Nature, Technology and Cultural Change in 20th century German Literature. The Challenge of Eco-Criticism. Basingstoke: Palgrave/ Macmillan. Goodbody, Axel (2007), Nature, Technology and Cultural Change in 20th century German Literature. The Challenge of Eco-Criticism. Basingstoke: Palgrave/ Macmillan. Goodbody, A. H.Melting ice and the paradoxes of Zeno: Didactic impulses and aesthetic distanciation in German climate change fiction. Ecozon@: European Journal of Literature, 2013, pp. 92-102. Goodbody, A. H.Melting ice and the paradoxes of Zeno: Didactic impulses and aesthetic distanciation in German climate change fiction. Ecozon@: European Journal of Literature, 2013, pp. 92-102.