39 pages • 1 hour read
The Artificial Silk Girl
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Essay Topics
In what ways does Doris embody the idea of the “New Woman” of the 1920s? In what ways is she different?
Irmgard Keun writes in a style known in German as Neue Sachlichkeit. How does Keun exemplify this writing style?
Doris desperately wants to become a star (Glanz in German). How does Doris define the term “star?”
How does Doris view love and happiness?
What prominent historical themes during the Weimar Republic in German history are depicted in the novel, and how are they addressed? How does Doris’s frustration reflect the populism of the period, even if she doesn’t marinate in nationalism?
How is prostitution portrayed in the novel?
In Chapter 3, on Page 112, the French poet Baudelaire is mentioned along with his poem, Lesbos. What significance does the poem hold for the book? Are there any thematic or symbolic similarities between the two?
Does Doris’s belief in the importance of becoming a glamorous star change by the end of the novel? Explain your answer.
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