‘The key to understanding The Tin Drum lies in understanding the mind of its
remarkable first-person narrator, Oskar Matzerath, that brilliantly conceived fictional
eyewitness and personification of the Third Reich, its prehistory, and its aftermath.’1
This quote stresses the importance of the narrator in Günter Grass’ novel. In this essay, I
should like to compare the narrative structure in the novel with the film adaptation. As my aim
is to find out how the film version works, I would like to put forward the proposition that not
only the understanding of the narrator’s mind is crucial for the understanding of the novel, but
also the understanding of the narrative structure itself within Die Blechtrommel. Therefore, I
will have a closer look at the novel first and then proceeding to the film, in order to examine
the changes Volker Schlöndorff made and what effect they may have on the understanding of
the film.
Hans Magnus Enzensberger, a famous German poet and critic, described Günter Grass’ novel
as a
‘Brocken, an dem Rezensenten und Philologen mindestens ein Jahrzehnt lang zu würgen
haben, bis es [sic] reif zur Kanonisierung oder zur Aufbewahrung im Schauhaus der
Literaturgeschichte ist.’2
This prophecy of 1959 came true and it was not until twenty years later that Volker
Schlöndorff tried the first film adaptation of this complex work of literature. Nevertheless, the
novel was a tremendous success, not only in post-war Germany. In the following paragraph, I
will start with an explanation of the elements, which make the novel’s narrative structure so
complicated and multilayered.
1 Keele, Alan Frank. Understanding Günter Grass, page 11
2 Richter, Frank. Die zerschlagene Wirklichkeit. Überlegungen zur Form der Danzig-Triologie von Günter
Grass, page 7
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Narrative structure in the novel Die Blechtrommel
- Framework story
- Narrative perspective
- Reliable or unreliable narrator?
- First and third person narration
- Schlöndorff's approach in his film version
- Necessary changes
- What is left of the narrative structure of the novel?
- Additional changes and criticism
- Cinematic devices or why the film works on its own
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to compare the narrative structure of Günter Grass's Die Blechtrommel with Volker Schlöndorff's film adaptation, analyzing the changes made and their impact on the film's effectiveness. The essay seeks to determine how the film version functions as a standalone work, considering the complexities of the novel's structure.
- The role and reliability of the first-person narrator Oskar Matzerath.
- The impact of the novel's framework story on the reader's interpretation.
- The unique narrative perspective and its effect on the portrayal of events and characters.
- The necessary adaptations made for the film adaptation and their consequences.
- The effectiveness of the film as a separate artistic entity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introduction establishes the essay's central question: how effectively does Schlöndorff's film adaptation of Die Blechtrommel function? It highlights the significance of Oskar Matzerath's perspective as the novel's first-person narrator and proposes that understanding the narrative structure is crucial to understanding both the novel and its adaptation. The introduction also briefly mentions the novel's initial critical reception and delayed cinematic adaptation.
Narrative structure in the novel Die Blechtrommel: This section delves into the complexities of the novel's narrative structure. It explains the framework story of Oskar Matzerath recounting his life from within a mental asylum, emphasizing how this structure constantly questions the reliability of his narrative. The frequent interruptions and flashbacks, triggered by Oskar's need for his drum to recall events, contribute to the narrative's multi-layered nature and the reader's constant engagement with the act of storytelling itself. The chapter then analyzes Oskar's unique narrative perspective – that of a self-proclaimed three-year-old – and its implications for the reader's understanding of the events and characters presented.
Schlöndorff's approach in his film version: This section focuses on the adaptations made by Schlöndorff in his film version. It investigates what aspects of the novel's narrative structure are retained and how the film compensates for the inherent limitations of adapting such a complex narrative to the cinematic medium. The discussion includes an analysis of the necessary changes made, what remains of the novel's structure, additional criticisms of the adaptation, and finally, how the film utilizes cinematic techniques to create its own distinct narrative experience. This analysis will explore the trade-offs made for cinematic storytelling.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Die Blechtrommel, Günter Grass, Volker Schlöndorff, film adaptation, narrative structure, first-person narration, unreliable narrator, framework story, perspective, cinematic techniques, German literature, post-war Germany, Third Reich.
Frequently Asked Questions: Die Blechtrommel - Novel and Film Adaptation
What is the purpose of this essay?
This essay compares the narrative structure of Günter Grass's Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum) with Volker Schlöndorff's film adaptation. It analyzes the changes made in the adaptation and assesses their impact on the film's effectiveness as a standalone work, considering the novel's complex structure.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the role and reliability of the first-person narrator Oskar Matzerath; the impact of the novel's framework story; the unique narrative perspective and its effects; the necessary adaptations for the film and their consequences; and the effectiveness of the film as a separate artistic entity.
What aspects of the novel's narrative structure are discussed?
The essay examines the novel's framework story (Oskar recounting his life from a mental asylum), questioning the reliability of his narration. It analyzes the frequent interruptions and flashbacks, the multi-layered nature of the narrative, and Oskar's unique perspective as a self-proclaimed three-year-old. The impact of these elements on the reader's interpretation is also discussed.
How does the essay analyze Schlöndorff's film adaptation?
The essay analyzes the adaptations made by Schlöndorff, focusing on what aspects of the novel's narrative structure are retained and how the film overcomes the limitations of adapting a complex narrative to the cinematic medium. It discusses necessary changes, criticisms of the adaptation, and how the film uses cinematic techniques to create a distinct narrative experience.
What is the overall approach of the essay?
The essay takes a comparative approach, systematically examining both the novel and the film adaptation. It focuses on the narrative structure as the central element for comparison, analyzing how changes in this structure affect the overall impact and meaning of the story in each medium.
What are the key takeaways from the essay?
The essay aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how a complex literary work is translated to film, highlighting both the successes and challenges of such an adaptation. It emphasizes the importance of analyzing the narrative structure in both mediums to appreciate the unique artistic choices and their respective impacts on the audience.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Die Blechtrommel, Günter Grass, Volker Schlöndorff, film adaptation, narrative structure, first-person narration, unreliable narrator, framework story, perspective, cinematic techniques, German literature, post-war Germany, Third Reich.
- Quote paper
- Evelyn Naudorf (Author), 2001, How does the film adaptation of Volker Schlöndorff's "Die Blechtrommel" work?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13453