The Lost Honour of Katherina Blum: A Short History of How Violence Develops M. Wilson

GERMANY 1970’S After WWII Germany was divided into two halves, East and West Germany. After WWII Germany was divided into two halves, East and West Germany. The East was part of Communist Russia or the USSR and the capital of Berlin was also divided into East and West. The Russians built a huge wall that divided the city and became a symbol of imprisonment, the Berlin Wall The East was part of Communist Russia or the USSR and the capital of Berlin was also divided into East and West. The Russians built a huge wall that divided the city and became a symbol of imprisonment, the Berlin Wall DQAuT1eIMk&mode=related&search= DQAuT1eIMk&mode=related&search=

Berlin was divided by the Allies into four areas: Britsh, US, French and Russian Berlin was divided by the Allies into four areas: Britsh, US, French and Russian However the city was surrounded by East However the city was surrounded by East Germany under Russian control Germany under Russian control The people of Berlin were The people of Berlin were Starving and the US and UK Flew in food for them

Germany reunited in 1989

Munich Olympic Games 1972 In 1972 the Olympic Games were held in Munich and 11 Israeli Jewish athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Arab terrorists. In 1972 the Olympic Games were held in Munich and 11 Israeli Jewish athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Arab terrorists. Germany had a growing problem with terrorists and had to face the reality of dealing with them Germany had a growing problem with terrorists and had to face the reality of dealing with them The German public were increasingly frightened by the terrorist threat after the Munich Games The German public were increasingly frightened by the terrorist threat after the Munich Games

Baader Meinhoff Gang The Baader Meinhoff gang were also known as the Red Brigade and they kidnapped, tortured and murdered people across Germany and Europe. The Baader Meinhoff gang were also known as the Red Brigade and they kidnapped, tortured and murdered people across Germany and Europe. When they were captured, Boll was repelled and angry at the way they were treated by the media in Germany. He based part of KB’s character on Ulrich Meinhoff’s treatment by the police and the media at the time. When they were captured, Boll was repelled and angry at the way they were treated by the media in Germany. He based part of KB’s character on Ulrich Meinhoff’s treatment by the police and the media at the time.

Heinrich Boll Boll’s writings tend to analyse and focus upon inequities in society. He criticised the emerging German society and especially the notion of trial by media. Boll’s writings tend to analyse and focus upon inequities in society. He criticised the emerging German society and especially the notion of trial by media. Boll and Mishima were known for their criticism of the ‘monuments’ or institutions of society such as the Law, Justice and Family. This is evident in their novels. Boll and Mishima were known for their criticism of the ‘monuments’ or institutions of society such as the Law, Justice and Family. This is evident in their novels.

1989 Fall of Communism In 1989 the Russian Communist Government collapsed and Germany was united. The East was poor and fairly backward, the West faced a huge bill to help their countrymen and families to assimilate into Western culture and democratic society. Easterners were used to obeying authority and Westerners were used to criticising it. A culture clash ensued. The Berlin Wall was knocked downhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=hrPJYF2GzIs In 1989 the Russian Communist Government collapsed and Germany was united. The East was poor and fairly backward, the West faced a huge bill to help their countrymen and families to assimilate into Western culture and democratic society. Easterners were used to obeying authority and Westerners were used to criticising it. A culture clash ensued. The Berlin Wall was knocked downhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=hrPJYF2GzIs

Katarina Blum KB was an innocent character accused falsely KB was an innocent character accused falsely OR was she? OR was she?

KB was strong minded, a little obssessive KB was strong minded, a little obssessive She knew Ludwig was wanted by the police yet she chose to protect him She knew Ludwig was wanted by the police yet she chose to protect him Was she right? Was she right?

Were the Police right to interrogate her? Were the Police right to interrogate her? She had protected a wanted man even though he was not a terrorist She had protected a wanted man even though he was not a terrorist Was she used by the men in her life? Was she used by the men in her life? Was KB a victim? Was KB a victim? Did she deserve the way she was treated? Did she deserve the way she was treated?

The German community was nervous after the events of WWII, The Olympic massacre and the Red Brigade attacks. Anyone who seemed suspicious was treated harshly by the public and the media. The German community was nervous after the events of WWII, The Olympic massacre and the Red Brigade attacks. Anyone who seemed suspicious was treated harshly by the public and the media. Do you think Boll’s novel creates a picture of a woman victimised or a woman who chose to become a martyr for love? Do you think Boll’s novel creates a picture of a woman victimised or a woman who chose to become a martyr for love?