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Max Frisch: Experiments of Storytelling
Max Frisch: Experimente des Erzählens
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:15
Abstract
This seminar provides an insight into the poetic and narrative procedures of Max Frisch's prose writing. Frisch's writing can be essentially understood as experimenting with a new mode of narration which takes on epistemological functions and treats themes of existential philosophy.
Objective
1) Overview of the prose writings by Max Frisch; 2) insight in the poetic and narrative procedures of Max Frisch's prose writing; 3) understanding of the novels of Max Frisch as epistemological and philosophical projects.
Content
"Narrative: but how?", asked Max Frisch in his diary. In his prose the answer to this question is definitely troublesome since it transcends the classic form and function of narrative. His novels - from Stiller (1954), Homo faber (1957), Mein Name sei Gantenbein (1964) to his late prose Montauk (1975) and Der Mensch erscheing im Holozän (1979) - but also his journals (including 1950) can be essentially understood as experiments of a new mode of narration, which implies a multiple perspective. Not only is the narrative performed according to a formal technique, but, at the same time, it takes on epistemological and existential philosophical functions. The purpose is epistemological since this type of narrative strives to generate knowledge; it is existential philosophical as soon as characters such as Stiller and Gantenbein prove to be myth-maniac inventors of their self. Out of necessity, or playfully, they perform (other) identities. "Ich probiere Geschichten an wie Kleider", thus Gantenbein and again Montauk. Narrative, play, disguise, and (self)deception become anthropological practices; even as "Gier nach Geschichten" (craving for stories) they become an elementary effort of human life.
Resources
Literature
Literatur zur Anschaffung: Max Frisch. Romane, Erzählungen, Tagebücher. Erschienen: 17.11.2008 Suhrkamp Quarto 0 Broschur, 1782 Seiten ISBN: 978-3-518-42005-8
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 50
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Max Frisch: Experimente des Erzählens |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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