Jenische, Sinti und Roma in der Schweiz by Helena Kanyar Becker (review)

Abstract

MLR, 100.4, 2005 1159 Changing Notions of Money and Language in German Literature from i$og to igs6. By Regina Angela Wenzel. (Studies in German Language and Literature, 32; Bristol German Publications, 12) Lewiston, Queenston, and Lampeter: Mellen. 2003. x + 262pp. ?69.95. ISBN 0-7734-7058-1. The best aspect of Regina Wenzel's adapted doctoral thesis is, as appropriate to the genre, the close analysis of texts: chapters on the role of money and financial termi? nology in Fortunatus, Till Eulenspiegel, Nathan der Weise, Kabale und Liebe, Faust II, Der griine Heinrich, Von morgens bis mitternachts,and Der Besuch der alten Dame. These reflect and extend the state of scholarship in these areas and should be read carefully by anyone interested in these works. Beyond that, doubts set in. The theory of Chapter 1, that as money and language are both systems of negotiation whose usefulness depends on mutual trust (in the genuineness of the currency, the truth of the utterance), therefore there must be parallels in their literary treatment, is surely correct, and leads to useful insights about, for instance, the project of realist writ? ing (p. n)?though it would still have been useful, here, to go back to Christopher Prendergast's remarks in The Order of Mimesis (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986). But it does not follow that the same texts that exemplify changing no? tions of money are also good instances of changing awareness of language: those two developments have differentrhythms,however well Wenzel argues for their coming together, for instance, in Keller, or however sharply she observes Leibniz's analogy of the functions of money and of words (p. 97). In effect,therefore, Wenzel in her central chapters limits herself to half her sub? ject, money, with occasional forays into the other, language. Even this lacks a certain dimension, promised by Martin Swales in his preface: the systematic consideration of magic alongside money and language?few German writers to this day can conceive of prosperity except as the result of, if not actual magic, at least far-fetched coincidences, or else sharp practice. A reading of Simplicissimus could have added much to this theme and filled a chronological and thematic gap, with its transition from a superstitious world where treasures are guarded by uncanny spirits, via the easy-come-easy-go attitude of the soldier living on booty, to a world of commerce where judicious investment is the condition of profit. Die Insel Felsenburg would also suggest a shiftto Aufklarung values, and there is more to the (short) nineteenth cen? tury than can be dealt with by a chapter on Der griine Heinrich and short passages on Soll und Haben and Buddenbrooks. Though Wenzel ends on a note of Kulturpessimismus ?'The belief ofthe Enlightenment in at least some universal values seems to have collapsed irrevocably in our post-modern times' (p. 258)?she is only restating a timeless complaint which she has traced back to the late Middle Ages (p. 29). Some theorists of values, notably Pierre Bourdieu (not mentioned here) with his system of differentkinds of capital, would disagree. The volume is well presented as one expects of the publisher (Wenzel should prob? ably share this praise, forproviding perfect camera-ready copy). Notes at the ends of chapters?though surely an oddity now that footnotes magically arrange themselves without human intervention?help to overcome the disadvantage ofthe lack ofa bib? liography. Cardiff University Alfred D. White Jenische, Sinti und Roma in der Schweiz. Ed. by Helena Kanyar Becker. (Basler Beitrage zur Geschichtswissenschaft, 176) Basel: Schwabe. 2003. 185 pp. SwF 48; ?33.50. ISBN 3-7965-1973-3. Helena Kanyar Becker'sjenische, Sinti und Roma in der Schweiz represents an impor? tant contribution to German cultural studies, being the firstvolume to deal with the 1160 Reviews history and culture of Switzerland's 35,000 Yenish (or 'White Gypsies') and Sinti, 2,500 Travellers, and some 30,000 immigrant Romanies from south-eastern Eur? ope. Becker's aim is to highlight their history of abuse and persecution, and increase understanding of their culture and traditions. The authors are all active in the field of Yenish, Romany, and minority rights,and there is a...