Literature may be read as a form of social or cultural history. Discuss in reference to one or more literary texts

Novels reflect the social and cultural issues of the time in which they were written. The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum by Heinrich Boll was written in 1974 during a time of social and cultural upheaval also commenting on the power of the media and its ability to permeate all levels of society. Heinrich Boll’s novel follows the apparent criminal Katharina Blum, whose victimization by the media leads her to kill her victimizer, Werner Totges. Boll’s novel reflects and questions West German society of the 1970s following World War 2, and from the issues it addresses the reader is shown social and cultural history of that time. This is presented through a news format allowing multiple point of view and metafiction techniques as well as reinforcing the authors point

The 1970s in West Germany led to the uprising of the Baader-Meinhof gang later known as the Red Army Faction. A left wing militant group their actions leave an undercurrent of fear and suspicion in West German society this is then felt by Katharina Blum who is labeled by the press as a “whore a communist and an atheist” . The media is portrayed by Boll by having the power to change and persuade and is a central force in the police investigation, providing places that they felt the police should next look for information. Due to the novels format the discourse has a journalistic feel the reader is encouraged to feel detached through an alienation effect the reader views Katharina’s plight provided by some sympathetic but many unsympathetic sources. It is from this kind of discourse that Katharina Blum’s honour is ruined, it is important to also note that there is no apparent objection to her treatment by anyone who ahs any relative power. The media ultimately protecting the interests of the rich and powerful, while finding a way to entertain the masses; by sacrificing an innocent woman’s reputation. By twisting and manipulating what they were told by their sources they were able to construct an image of Katharina Blum which suited their own agenda changing “ intelligent cool and level headed “ to “ ice cold and calculating”. Novels such as The Lost Honour Of Katharina Blum reveal the media as a pivotal force in West German society, a society recovering from the horrors of world war 2.

Sometimes world events go down in history, leaving an imprint of its presence on those affected. A writer interprets history in a way that a reader is able to comprehend, hence inadvertently giving a glimpse into times past. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid is set post 9/11, an event which sparking new fear of terrorists, The war in Iraq and a wave of new protective measures. The novels protagonist Changez faces discrimination due to his race and challenges this by growing a beard. In doing so he fulfills the stereotype of a Muslim male. Both The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum and The Reluctant Fundamentalist are a reflection to the mirror of a society recovering from the horrors of World War 2 and its affects on their society and 9/11 hysteria respectively. Mohsin Hamid’s novel invites the reader to take a side, this culture clash of east and west is what causes conflict “It was right for me to refuse to participate any longer in facilitating this project of domination; the only surprise was that I had required so much time to arrive at my decision.” Changez’s monologue shows that he eventually sides with the East, the ambiguous ending further enforcing a more dangerous society following 9/11 having lost its simplicity and childlike trust. The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum though fictitious addresses some very real issues. Progress was slow and this is primarily evident in their treatment of women in the 1970s of West Germany.

Bolls novel constructs West German society as being overwhelmingly patriarchal, the men disempower Katharina in a society of male supremacy. This comes from a variety of characters one of which is Werner Totges “…how about a bang for a start…” in his apparent wish to rape Katharina we are faced with an undeniably unequal society. Though Katharina is marginalized and her reputation ruined it is her who is depicted as a “ murderers moll” and “ outlaws sweetheart” by the press. By trying to live her life independent to that of a man her integrity is questioned, by being her own boss her lifestyle is questioned ultimately saying that no woman could make as much money as she did without resorting to dishonest means such as “gentleman callers”. Boll portrays this woman as having great dignity, her confidence is viewed by the men of the novel as a challenge to their masculinity. Her crime is that she is a woman, her discourse is interpreted and challenged by police, her ending reinforcing a patriarchal society. The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum has various compounds revealing a society of complex gender roles where tension comes with change. The politics that follow history were a great factor in enforcing my understanding of The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum and The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Heinrich Boll once called The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum a “pamphlet disguised as a novel” providing commentary on the political stratifications of 1970s West Germany. The political climate during this time was shaky due to the rise of the Red Army Faction, leftist terrorism left an indelible mark of instability. Because of the unrest of the 1960s it was easier for groups such as the Red Army Faction to become prominent. Though West Germany had attempted to denazify itself its lack of success reflects a still backward mindset “ musicals and grusicals “ accurately describes the tumultuous politics of this time. Katharina is also described as being “ radical in her helplessness her organizing ability, her intelligence”, her apparent “radical” actions are considered a threat to those in power, though in reality it is very obvious that she is anything but a communist- the enemy. Politics greatly influences the lives of many, even today in The Reluctant Fundamentalist the events of 9/11 are the catalyst for the war in Iraq, as a way of protecting Americas sense of safety and power. The narrator challenges the stereotypes connected to those of Arab appearance “ The men and women-yes the women too- of my household are working people, professionals”. He is clean shaven polite, successful and he is “ a lover of America” in spite of this following 9/11 he is demonized, and his country is threatened by an impending war which threatens to destroy the lives of many innocent people. Yet because of 9/11 the war has more to do with politics rather than an outward threat, a way of America stabilizing itself in the eyes of its citizens. These novels reveal the mechanics of societies in the past and even the present.