DIE TUGEND DER FLUCHTTIERE. DER TOD IN ROBINSONS BLAUES HAUS (2012) VON ERNST AUGUSTIN

Abstract

The novels of the author Ernst Augustin (born 1927) immerse the reader in astoundingly fantastic worlds and pose the question: What is real? Augustin's oeuvre is considered among the most imaginative works of contemporary German literature. Augustin also enjoys the esteem of the contributors to the “Arts Section” of many national newspapers, and is praised by many other contemporary authors. Nonetheless, a systematic study of his work does not yet exist. Death emerges as a basic narrative, which is particularly prevalent in the recent novel Robinsons blaues Haus (2012). Therefore, the focus of my research is the topic of death in all its variations: from mortal fear and fuga mortis to the longing for death. As a result, the following questions are posed: How are mortal fear and the longing for death connected? What roles do the flight motif and the changes of identity assume?