THE HOMELAND REPRESENTATION IN THE WORKS BY BERNHARD SCHLINK

Abstract

This article considers the special perception of the phenomenon ‟Homeland” (‟Fatherland”) in the consciousness of the German nation using the example of the works by the German writer Bernhard Schlink. Topicality of the problem indicated in the article is due to the constant reference of German writers, poets, philosophers and sociologists to certain components that make up the concept of ‟Homeland.” The connection between the historical periods of German history and their presentation in the prose by Bernhard Schlink is shown in this article. The understanding of ‟Fatherland” by Germany’s territorial and cultural fragmentation over a long period of the land’s history until the second half of the 19th century is of particular importance. The purpose of the article is to identify associative ties in the mentality of the Germans by mentioning the concept of ‟Homeland” – German nature, national mentality and character, the typical Germans’ behaviour, special German past, which influenced the perception of Germans by other nations. It should be noted that the subject of the ‟Homeland” is especially important for Bernhard Schlink.