Günter Grass’ latest novel, Crabwalk, examines the 1945 sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. The worst maritime disaster in world history was the subject of a 1959 German film called Night Fell Over Gotenhafen. “Banned in the East,” Grass explains, “the film achieved only a modest success in the West, and is now forgotten, like the unfortunate ship itself, submerged in… return to article
-
subscribe to print magazine
-
email this article to a friend
-
Reader Comments (2)Page 1 of 1 pagesGrass never seemed to come to terms that his parents never or only reluctantly told him about what happened in Nazi Germany. As I understood it, he was ashamed that the generation of his parents didn’t show any feelings of guilt but instead tried to use some , lame, false or common place excuses for what really happened and their lack of courage under a oppressive regime. These excuses are far too common in the generation of my grandparents ( I’m 25 right now ) and they always sound the same like “how could we know what really happened” or “we were unpolitical”. These statements and the lack of feeling guilt made the generations following after the War very angry, bitter and desperate in in attempting to make a genuine cut with past by acknowledging what really happened. To make peace with this generation was somehow impossible. This differences between the generations subsequently culminated into the 1968 student revolts in Germany. At this time, those who were in power were partly consisting of the same people that had been in positions of power during the Third Reich. Questions even went further, how should a new democratic Germany behave in the face of future adversities. Germany was divided and stuck between two blocs, often a threat of war seemed imminent. This is what lies behind many of Grass’s stories.
Only recently, a new issue has entered the historic debate and this is reflected in Grass’s novel Crabwalk. He and other intellectuals asked what happened to German civilians during the War. During the “Bombennaechte” ( bombing nights ) for example in Hamburg and Dresden, and, more importantly, while many millions attempted to flee from the “Ostgebiete” ( Eastern areas of Germany that later were situated in Soviet Union ) as the Red Army was approaching. However, this issue is not about the question of guilt, this is about what happened to the civilians and in this case the question wasn’t posed by a “revanchistic” older generation but by a curious younger one that dares to ask. Grass seems to have the same intention and it is good that an authority like him shares his voice with the younger generation.
Posted by Martin Kuroczik on Feb 23, 2004 at 7:21 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
register a new account »Posting Security
Posted by Campbell Rocco on Aug 11, 2003 at 5:57 PM 
Also by Brian Cook
- Unholy Allies
- Five Years on the Hotel Picket Line
- Joys of ‘The Wire’
Some critics have called HBO's hit series 'depressing' and 'nihilistic.' They couldn't be more wrong. - Blackwater Nation
Contracting soldiers of fortune is only one example of our recent philosophy of government - The Kids Aren’t Alright
Daniel Brook's The Trap reminds us that inequality is bad for everyone, rich and poor - Death from Above
For the Iraqi people, the surge in U.S. troops has meant more bombs dropping from the sky and a surge in deaths
Popular Discussions
- The 9/11 Faith Movement
Many Americans believe 9/11 was a conspiracy by the U.S. government
1968 posts since Jul 11 06 - What’s the 411 on 9/11?
891 posts since Dec 21 05 - Democrats: It’s the War
659 posts since Nov 1 05 - Was the Presidential Election Stolen?
459 posts since Jun 19 06 - A Fundamental History Lesson
The rise of National Socialism proved politics and religion don't mix
426 posts since Oct 10 05
© 2003 In These Times | Reprint Policy | Privacy Policy | Powered by Expression Engine | RSS Feeds
