Two sides of an anorexic coin in Die Wahlverwandt-schaften and Die Verwandlung: Ottilie as Heilige, Gregor as Mistkäfer

Dickson, S. (1999) Two sides of an anorexic coin in Die Wahlverwandt-schaften and Die Verwandlung: Ottilie as Heilige, Gregor as Mistkäfer. Orbis Litterarum, 54(3), pp. 174-184. (doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0730.1999.tb01947.x)

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Abstract

Two very different characters, Ottilie from Die Wahlverwandt-schaften and Gregor from Die Verwandlung, display character traits that are recognised within clinical psychology as conductive to the illness anorexia nervosa. Although termed an eating disorder this illness is a much more complex reflection of self-hatred and represents an attempt to gain control over one's life by sensitive, intelligent young people in situations where they feel pressured from outside. This body of knowledge is a useful tool with which to analyse the behaviour of these characters and offers new insight into their actions which may change our interpretation of the works as a whole.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dickson, Professor Sheila
Authors: Dickson, S.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > German
Journal Name:Orbis Litterarum
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0105-7510
ISSN (Online):1600-0730
Published Online:22 August 2007

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