Gisela Elsner’s “Schlaraffenrafferland“: A satirical critique of a capitalistic world

The ever-increasing free market economy during West-Germany’s economic rise in the 60s was popularized by post-war politics under the slogan “Wohlstand für alle” (prosperity for everyone) promising increasing wealth across all social ranks. Gisela Elsner satirical critique unmasks this alleged utopia. This talk will elaborate on her works identifying the origin of capitalism – in the tradition of Karl Marx – in the dehumanization of humanity with a focus on her unique writing style, distinguished by her complex syntax and morphology.

Alexandra Vogel | University of Regensburg/University of Illinois