New Interpretations of Female Self-Mutilation Symbolism in Contemporary German Language Popular Literature

Abstract

Capturing and decoding literary symbols is a prerequisite for a profound interpretation of literary works. Throughout the history of German literature, a number of literary symbols have already acquired their usual set of meanings and universal, traditional paths of interpretation. Symbols related to women's topics and body writing, due to their close relevance to human bodily consciousness and self-knowledge, have demonstrated a variety of innovative meanings in literary works. Female self-abuse is a common theme in contemporary German-language popular literature, and symbols play an important role in the portrayal of women and the expression of traumatic memories. As typical symbols of the female body, “blood” and “wounds”, in contrast to traditional symbolism, have generated new interpretative possibilities and existential significance in contemporary German-language popular literature.