Motifs of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s ‘Notes from Dead House’ in Hans Fallada’s Novel ‘Wer einmal aus dem Blechnapf frißt…’

Abstract

The novels ‘Notes from the Dead House’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky and ‘Wer einmal aus dem Blechnapf frißt…’ (‘Who Once Drinks from the Prison Chalice’) by Hans Fallada are analyzed in terms of literary connections. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted examination of Hans Fallada’s literary dialogue with Fyodor Dostoevsky. A number of similar motifs are identified, as well as the fact that there are allusive “cross-references” between the characters of the novels. It is noted that both authors show the destructive influence of imprisonment on the criminal’s personality. It is emphasized that in both novels, the criminal is deprived of the ability for spiritual revival, and the writers criticize the unjust social system that pushes the “little” person to break the law. Drawing on the traditions of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Hans Fallada shows in his novel that life for prisoners, both in prison and after release, is akin to being in a “dead house”, as it deprives the “humiliated and insulted” heroes of the opportunity to change their fate. It is concluded that comparing the novels “Notes from the Dead House” and “Who Once Drinks from the Prison Chalice” allows for identifying similarities in their ideas and outlining perspectives for further research on the reception of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s artistic experience in Hans Fallada’s work.