February 1978 Newsletter

WOMEN IN GERMAN

Mailing address: 818 Van Hise Hall, Madison, WI. 63706
February 6, 1978
Number 14
Subscription fee: $2.00 per year ($1.00 if unemployed)

With the arrival of 1978 WiG is celebrating its 3rd successful year. Not only do we feel that the Newsletter – thanks to all of you -  has contributed to an important exchange of ideas, but it has also served as a center of unity in the struggle against women’s oppression in our professional sphere. We strongly hope that it will continue to be a valuable forum for sharing our experiences and inspiring us further in our challenge to the norms and values of a male-dominated field. As we are all aware, the literature of women has been systematically excluded from studies in literary history and criticism. Unfortunately this deficiency still becomes apparent when it comes to planning and teaching courses in most departments. Also, in our work, the socio-cultural implications of a sexist language are still being ignored in most pedagogical materials. By emphasizing such information and encouraging participation, we hope to raise additional relevant issues and stimulate more discussion.

We are especially happy to begin this year’s issue with a preview of a very promising 3rd Conference/Retreat which will be held again in Oxford, Ohio, in September. We realize that this may seem like an early start, yet with the new conference format of Arbeitsgruppenn we feel the project deserves careful planning and ample time to mature. In choosing the Arbeitsgruppen, we want a productive alternative to the typical elitist academic conference, which so blatantly reflects patriarchal values.

Last but not least, we extend a welcome to our numerous new subscribers. Your support is most important, for only in unity can we become stronger and hope to achieve change.

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THIRD WOMEN IN GERMAN CONFERENCE

The third annual Women in German Workshop/Retreat will take place on Sept. 22-24, 1978, at Miami University, Oxford Ohio. Participation and contributions are invited for the following sessions: Sexism in the German Language (Pat Russian and Detti Ledochowski), The Women’s Qeustion and Aesthetics (Sara Lennox and Pat Herminghouse), Contemporary Women’s Culture (Evelyn Beck and Gisela Strand). Work in progress and collective projects are especially encouraged, rather than formal papers. For further information and to submit suggestions/contributions write to WiG workshop, GREAL, Miami University, Oxford, Oh 45056.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE WOMEN IN GERMAN WORKSHOP
September 22-24, 1978
Miami University, Oxford, Oh.

Friday, Sept. 22
5:00 – 8:00 pm  Arrival; supper
8:30 – 10:00 pm
Evening activity: please make suggestions
Possibility: assertiveness training sessions

Saturday, Sept. 23
5:00 – 8:00 pm  Arrival; supper
8:00 – 10:00 pm
Sexism in the German Language
Co-ordinated by Pat Russian and Detti Ledochowski
10:00 – 10:30    Break
10:30 – 12:00   
The Women’s Question and Aesthetics
Co-ordinated by Sara Lennox and Pat Herminghouse
12:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 – 3:00
Women Authors in the 19^th Century
Co-ordinated by Elke Frederiksen and Kay Goodman
3:00 – 3:30       Break
3:30 – 5:00      
Contemporary Women’s Culture
Co-ordinated by Evelyn Beck and Gisela Strand
6:00 – 7:30       Supper
8:00 – 10:00     
Evening Activities: Please make suggestions
Movie? A sing-along? A performer? Slide show?

Sunday, Sept. 24
8:00 – 8:30 am  Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00      Business and planning meeting
10:00 – 12:00    Open: Please Make suggestions

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We suggest June 1, 1978 as the deadline for submission of projects to the workshop coordinators, and will list this deadline in the announcements. We request that the coordinators send us a description of their workshop, including names of contributors, by July 1, 1978 so that we can prepare copy for the September issues of WiG.

We would appreciate it if you could send a copy of your response to each of us to speed up communication. Jeanette will attend MLA and will be glad to talk with whoever is present to proceed with the planning. Thank you.

Audrone B. Willeke
GREAL
Miami University
Ocford, OH. 45056
[redacted]

Jeanette Clausen
Dept. of Modern Foreign Languages
Indiana University - Purdue
University at Fort Wayne
2101 Coliseum Blvd. East
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
[redacted]

INTERVIEW WITH MARGARETHE VON TROTTA

During a recent visit to Germany I had an opportunity to talk with Maragarethe von Trotta about her ideas on film-making and the women’s movement. The discussion of Strohfeuer at the WiG Second Annual Conference had raised a number of questions, and I was interested in what von Trotta herself had to say about cinema. She perceives the main difference between men and women’s films as one of subject matter. Genres such as Westerns, Krimis and adventure are distinctly male. Handlung and Eroberung are the main components. Women, she noted, concentrate more on the relationship between people and on the less spectacular events that make up their daily lives (the focus of women’s collective experience heretofore having in fact been the private sphere). Handlung in and of itself is less important to women than an arrangement of scenes through which personal development and interaction unfold. The emphasis on presenting the situation of women and their feelings – Lebensausschnitte.

Despite differences between men and women’s films, von Trotta sees the criteria for evaluating both as the same. The difficulty with most criticism, she continued, is that it’s written by me who simply reject what they don’t understand. She feels that the problem with criticism will only improve when there are more women critics and when a tradition is established upon which a women’s aesthetic can be based. Such a tradition is just beginning, and she stressed the necessity for greater numbers of women to participate in all fields of art and culture.

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Strohfeuer, she added, had been caught in a cross-fire between those who didn’t understand it (they saw the conclusion as a happy ending) and those who criticized her for not having gone far enough. She believes Germans were not yet ready for the film when it came out, although it was received much more favorably in the U.S.

Von Trotta’s view of feminism and of the political nature of such media as film was disappointing. She rejects a political perception of feminism and was irritated at the suggestion that cinema could be used as a medium for political change. She seems, in fact, to lack any political consciousness at all. Although she considers herself a feminist, she definiens feminism as self-recognition and self-development that is outwardly reflected. She does not view this as a process with political goals. Film is strictly considered an art form through which self-expression finds fulfillment. It does not contribute to social change, or if so, only very slowly. The attempt to use film as a medium for political expression, according to Trotta, can only compromise its value as art.

Von Trotta stresses that she has nothing against men but sees the necessity for women to focus on themselves as effectively excluding men for a time. She does not believe that film-directing is made any more difficult by the fact that she is a woman, and pointed out that a large number of films produced for West German television are made by women. Von Trotta finds women’s film companies un-necessary, but were they to form, she would welcome them as a further expression of women’s growing involvement in leadership roles in the cultural sphere.

Although Strohfeuer was co-authored by von Trotta and husband-producer Volker Schlöndorff, they no longer work together. She explained that they both have completely different ideas about film, and in an earlier interview in Frauen und Film von Trotta complained that although Schlöndorff recognized her partnership privately, he was loathe to do so in public. Together with the München author Luisa Francia, she has just completed a new film about women, Das zweite Erwachen.

Marsha Meyer

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SOMMERUNI FÜR FRAUEN

Between October 3 and October 8, West Berlin’s Free University was the site of the second national Women’s Studies Symposium, the Sommeruni für Frauen. Over 5,000 women attended the six-day conference, with an estimated 2,000 in attendance at any given time – an almost overwhelming response to the interests of a very young discipline in the Federal Republic. In contrast to last year’s Sommeruni, which attracted only 600 participants due to poor publicity, this fall’s turn-out is a clear indication of the demand for courses in Women’s Studies, In fact, many of the informal discussions as well as several scheduled workshops focused on the best strategies for hiring feminist faculty members and setting up courses within the curriculum as it exists today.

The major theme for this year’s Sommeruni was particularly conducive to such pragmatic considerations: women as paid and unpaid workers (Frauen als bezahlte und unbezahlte Arbeitskräfte). The vast majority of the lectures and workshops dealt with this topic, as well as the two pane discussions on Tuesday and Thursday night. Each of these evening symposia dealt with political strategy and women’s work: Tuesday – debate about wages for housework; Thursday – discussion of demanding 50% of all skilled jobs for women. Other important areas covered were the situation of women under fascism, the use of oral history as a tool in the study of women’s history, feminist aesthetics (although there were very few literary studies), discussion of how women are peculiarly affected by Berufeuerbote, and preparation for the Russel Tribunal on that topic.

As expected, the best-attended session was the debate on Wages for Housework. What surprised me, however, after more than a year at the Free University – where the wages for housework campaign has been quite successful – was how resoundingly most participants rejected this strategy, a fact which is even more surprising considering the number of housewives in attendance. At least 10% of all participants were non-students, despite the difficulties of getting time off from work or engaging a baby-sitter. This was particularly satisfying for the organizers, who struggled for recognition of the Sommeruni as suitable for Bildungeurlaub (paid time off for further education).

In contrast to last year, when the Sommeruni was organized by the Dozentinnengruppe (women’s faculty group) at the F.U., this year’s conference was planned by a group of both faculty and students – including myself. For perhaps the

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first and last time at such a Women’s Studies’ meeting, all proposed workshops and lectures were well prepared in advance. As a result, over 70 sessions took place. Considering the rapid growth in interest, this procedure probably will need to be replaced by a type of selection process next year. Nevertheless, it often produced a lively level of debate, despite an all-to-prevalent expectation on the part of participants to be spoon-fed information. This difficulty, one of the major points of discussion at the wrap-up session, was exacerbated by attendance so high at certain workshops as to exclude meaningful discussion. Next year’s Sommeruni will have to develop new structures to avoid these patriarchal pitfalls in the academic process, as well as providing more cultural stimulation. It seems we all had such a good time dancing to “Lysistrata” (a new women’s band in West Berlin) that we’ve started to crave even more women’s culture. (My informants tell me that a similar predilection was noted at the Women in German Conference!)

Nancy Vedder-Shults

CALL FOR PAPERS

I. WOMEN IN GERMAN ANTHOLOGY/YEARBOOK

We are seeking manuscripts for a Women in German Anthology/Yearbook. We would like to select fro among articles based on papers delivered at various Women in German sessions in the past as well as from new material. We are also interested in translations of shorter works by women. Please send one copy of your manuscript to each of:

Susan Cocalis
German Dept. [redacted]
University of Massachussetts
Amherst, Mass. 01002

and

Kay Goodman
GREAL [redacted]
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056

Deadling: September, 1978

II. MLA

Women in German will sponsor two special sessions at the 1978 MLA convention on the topic “Postwar West German Women Writers.” The papers may deal with work of one or more contemporary West German women authors. They may also concern themselves with questions of aesthetics, tradition, language, and/or criticism as they pertain to these writers.

The first session will be primarily informational with 3-4 presentations (10 minutes each); the second session will be devoted to a discussion of the topics

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raised in the first one. Panelists as well as respondent will be requested to prepare an abstract or outline and a bibliography for distribution at the sessions.

Those interested in submitting proposals for papers or in participating as respondants should contact both Linda S. Pickle, Foreign Language Dept., Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. 65251, and Heidi T. Tewarson, Dept. of Germanic and Slavic Studies, SUNY at Stony Brook, N.Y. 11790. Abstracts from graduate students are also welcome.

Proposals of 2-3 pages sent to each of the above-named co-chairpersons, are due April 6, 1978. Tentative deadline for the final papers is September 1, 1978.

III. MMLA MARXIST LITERARY FORUM – PEDAGOGY SESSION

The aim of the Marxist Literary Forum is to explore pedagogical approaches which not only legitimize the Marxist method but also further develop it.

Papers submitted should discuss the teaching of poems, short-stories, films, or music focusing on the Women’s question.

Within the framework of the Forum, papers are encouraged which stress the specific male supremacist and racial aspects of oppression by linking them to class society, social contradictions, and their historical development.

Proposals are welcome until April 15, 1978; deadline for completed papers is July 31, 1978. Send one copy each to

Beth Flynn
Department of Literature
Antioch College
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387

Viktoria Harwig
German Department
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisc. 53706.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

We continue to seek information from our readers on films and publications of interest to women in the field of German studies, as well as course syllabi of any courses you may be offering on images of women in literature, German feminist writings and so on. As an example of the kinds of leads we’d like to carry regularly:

Rowohlt Verlag is launching a new series call “neue frau” set to include

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“erzählende Texte aus den Literaturen aller Länder, deren Thema die konkrete sinnliche und emotionale Erfahrung von Frauen und ihre Suche nach einem selbstbestimmten Leben ist. ” Already in print are : Elisabeth Albertsen, Das Dritte: Geschichte einer Entscheidung (rororo neue frau 4134, DM 3.80); Evelyne and Claude Gutman, In der Mitte des Betts (4134, DM 4.80); Isabel Miller, Patience und Sarah (4152, DM 4.80); and Emma Santos, Ich habe Emma S. getötet (4161, DM 3.80). Planned for the next two months are: Doris Lessing, Der Sommer vor der Dunkelheit (4170, DM 5.80) and Violette Leduc, Die Bastardin (4179, DM 8.80).

Amazonen Verlag has published three texts and is planning several more for the next year, Sind es Frauen? by Almee leDuc is a paperback reprint of a turn-of-the century text that describes a Lesbian community of intellectuals. It has long been out of print and unavailable. The Verlag has also translated Jull Johnston’s Nationa Lesbisch from the American and most recently, Monique Wittig’s Aus deinen zehntausend Augen Sappho from the French. Books can be ordered from Gabriele Meixner, [redacted]

We would also like to draw your attention to some historical publications which recently caught our eye:

Leila J. Rupp, “Mother of the Volk: The Image of Women in Nazi Ideology,” in Signs: A Journal of Women and Culture 11/2 (Winter 1977), 362-79. This essay is the most recent in a series of articles and books on the subject of women in Nazi Germany. The essay is comprehensive and includes extensive bibliographic references.

There are also two other articles which provide some interesting background: Ann Taylor Allen, “Sex and Satire in Wilhelmine Germany: ‘Simplicissmus’ Looks at Family Life,” Journal of European Studies, vol. 7 (1977) pp. 19-40 (Illustrated!); ad R. P. Neuman, “The Sexual Question and Social Democracy in Imperial Germany, Journal of Social History, vol. 7 (1974), pp. 271-86.

If you have any leads like these, be sure to send them along.

Of special interest to all those who have been trying to teach German Women Writers in Translation is a new book: Christa Wolf’s Reader and Writer (a translation of Lesen und Schreiben) available Arpil 1978 from International Publishers, 381 Park Ave. South, New York N.Y. 10016. It is currently available at pre-publication price of $1.66 (add sales tax in N.Y. State only). Order directly from the publisher. List price will be $1.95.

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ANNOUNCEMENT

Beth Weckmeuler and Joana More are in the process of translating Verena Stefan’s Häutungen for Daughter’s Inc. The book will come out in early 1978.

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At the Ohio Conference we promised to send Ms. Dibner from Detroit this Newsletter. When we returned to Madison, we discovered that we do not have her address. Can someone help us by sending us her address?

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This newsletter was prepared by: Evelyn Torton Beck, Yvette Brazell, Nadia Donchenko, Angelika Haag, Viktoria Harwig, Biddy Martin, Marsha Meyer, Jim Steakley, Ganriele Strauch, Nancy Vedder-Shults and Christa Stutius.

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We have been asked by many groups for our address list. We have made it a policy to give the address list only to coalition groups of the MLA. Please write us, if you object and we will take your name off the list.

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