Performing Family Identity, Memory and Hybridity in the Works of Eva Menasse

Julia Gruber

doi:10.3828/mlo.v0i0.184

Abstract

This essay examines family identity, memory and hybridity in Eva Menasse’s novels Vienna (2005) and Quasikristalle (2013). The question of identity―an individual’s age, ethnic background, gender, nationality, qualities, beliefs and values―presents as the key issue in all Menasse’s literary works, including the short stories in Lassliche Todsunden (2009) and most recently, the essay collection Lieber aufgeregt als abgeklart (2016). Another recurring theme is the memory of the Shoah, its effects on families and relationships between Jews and non-Jews, which always seems to linger in the background. Thirdly, the author often focuses on differences between Austrians and Germans, as well as the way each treats their Jewish minorities. Finally, hybridity, i.e. the existence between two or more poles, as well as shedding light on a character’s story and a character’s circumstances through other characters’ perspectives are central to Menasse’s approach to writing: Thus, the author examines the hybrid nature of (1) (Jewish) family identity; (2) Jewishness in general; (3) after-effects of Nazi policies on post-war (family) life in Austria―the ‘Alltagsfaschismus’―and Germany; (4) differences between Germany and Austria and encounters between Austrians and Germans; and (5) gender, i.e. the way female family members are often overlooked in family narratives, as well as conditions of woman/motherhood in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Highlights

‘Ihr Vater ist Jude, Ihre Mutter Katholikin
The question of identity― an individual’s age, ethnic background, gender, nationality, qualities, beliefs and values―presents as the key issue in all Menasse’s literary works, including the short stories in Lässliche Todsünden (2009) and most recently, the essay collection Lieber aufgeregt als abgeklärt (2016). Another recurring theme is the memory of the Shoah, its effects on families and relationships between Jews and non-Jews, which always seems to linger in the background
Hybridity, i.e. the existence between two or more poles, as well as shedding light on a character’s story and a character’s circumstances through other characters’ perspectives are central to Menasse’s approach to writing: the author examines the hybrid nature of (1) (Jewish) family identity; (2) Jewishness in general; (3) after-effects of Nazi policies on post-war life in Austria―the ‘Alltagsfaschismus’―and Germany; (4) differences between Germany and Austria and encounters between Austrians and Germans; and (5) gender, i.e. the way female family members are often overlooked in family narratives, as well as conditions of woman/motherhood in the 20th and 21st centuries

Summary

Introduction

‘Ihr Vater ist Jude, Ihre Mutter Katholikin. Sie begreifen sich nicht als Jüdin, aber auch nicht als Nicht-Jüdin.’ Menasse explains: ‘Ich habe mich mein ganzes Leben lang mit dieser Frage herumgeschlagen.

Results

Conclusion