Ambivalent feminism: understanding the work of Maria Janitschek (1859-1927)

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1996
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Abstract
Maria Janitschek is one of the many forgotten German female authors of the turn of the century. She has written an array of works including prose and poetry about such typically female themes as marriage, love, family, religion. Reaction to her works varies: some critics consider her an advocate of the women's movement , others consider her works an example of "Trivialliteratur" or "nervöse Kunst", while still others find her work completely worthless. This ambivalence among scholars is a reflection of an ambivalence present in her actual works; this is articulated by her women characters and their problems. Maria Janitschek recognized the difficulties which existed for women, but offered no realistic alternatives or solutions which would allow them to change their situation. Her women cannot break free from old traditions to enter the realm of the new, although they clearly attempt to make this transition. Maria Janitschek's works reflect the sentiments and desires for change at the turn of the century, but she offers no clear vision of how this can be achieved.
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Bibliography: p. 119-133.
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Citation
Slot, N. (1996). Ambivalent feminism: understanding the work of Maria Janitschek (1859-1927) (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/22521
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