Die Macht der Überwachung: Marlene Streeruwitz' Die Schmerzmacherin. schreibt Kafka neu

Abstract

This article examines factual, literary, and metaphorical representations of powerful security systems in Marlene Streeruwitz's novel Die Schmerzmacherin. Her surprising and frequent references to aspects of Kafka's work show how both authors illuminate various oppressive systems hidden to the individual protagonists by securitized and secretive methods or by their blindness to habit and tradition, respectively. Both authors question obscure governmental and private institutions, hierarchical structures, gender differences, and kinship. Kafka focuses on a male, K., who measures such power in Das Schloss, a quasi-mythical place, and its bureaucratic environment. Streeruwitz invents a young woman, Amy, who is training in a quasi-realistic facility of the private global security company Allsecura, which can operate for governments with illegal means. Both authors reflect on the impossibility for individuals to live with or change negative aspects of powerful security systems. At the same time they expose how perpetuating these systems threatens public and private social relations.