The book delves into the evolving images of Germany and Germans in American literature over the last two centuries. Employing a comparative imagology approach, it integrates insights from social psychology and cultural anthropology. The author analyzes a diverse array of sources, such as literary texts, personal writings, travel accounts, media reports, films, and political cartoons, to uncover the cultural and historical narratives that shape perceptions of Germany in the American context.
In the 1920s and 1930s, numerous foreign correspondents for American newspapers and news agencies, along with established and emerging authors and hundreds of American physicians, spent significant time in Vienna and Austria. Analyzing their published reports and literary estates, including correspondence and journals, reveals extensive networks of friendships. Most American visitors viewed Vienna, even after the monarchy's collapse and amid political turmoil, as a Mecca of Medicine and Music, maintaining 19th-century stereotypes. Consequently, Austria was often portrayed positively in transatlantic media. Many visitors formed close ties with local elites, often of Jewish descent, inspiring fictional works that adapted local traditions. While some engaged with psychoanalysis and the advanced medical school, others, even those who had not visited, crafted narratives set in Vienna, drawing from rich media portrayals. The friendships and networks established were vital for many Austrians who fled after the Anschluss. The experiences of these transatlantic visitors and their favorable perceptions of Vienna and Austria resurfaced after World War II, continuing to influence views into the 1980s.
The significant loss to the humanities and social sciences in the 20th century due to the expulsion of scholars and artists from Austria and Central Europe is well recognized. This collection of articles explores a related but less examined aspect: the bureaucratic and ideological challenges faced by exiled scholars and artists wishing to return, alongside essays documenting the varying opportunities for returnees to influence their disciplines post-Nazi rule. The 27 essays emphasize the roles of returnees as mentors for younger scholars, promoting modernization and internationalization amid stagnation in universities. Notable figures in history, philosophy, and political science faced obstacles in securing full academic positions despite their impactful initiatives, while theatre directors significantly influenced cultural programs. The volume also discusses personal hesitations of intellectuals like Oskar Morgenstern and Ernst Krenek, who were reluctant to relinquish US citizenship for academic roles in politically unstable environments. Additionally, many émigrés remained exiles on both sides of the Atlantic. A key strength of the volume is its in-depth examination of exiled Austrian economists, many of whom returned from Britain to shape economic theory and policy, primarily from outside university settings, while transatlantic exiles predominantly stayed in the USA.
The bilingual volume features nine essays by prominent Canadianists from Austria, Germany, and Canada, exploring immigration and integration in North America. It examines how Canada addresses these challenges and considers whether its officially multicultural approach could serve as a model for countries like Austria and France. Successful integration is reflected in contemporary novels by immigrants, while ethnic autobiographies highlight past issues and prejudices. The tensions arising from transcultural transitions are presented as potential sources of inspiration, particularly through the works of Caribbean authors. The essays also discuss immigration from Austria and the unique approach to integration in Quebec, where interculturalism is emphasized. Additionally, the volume addresses immigration challenges in France and the plight of millions of undocumented immigrants from Latin America in the USA.
Das Aufeinandertreffen von Einwanderern und indigener Bevölkerung war nicht immer konfliktfrei – für alle Kunstgattungen aber doch auch sehr fruchtbar und bereichernd. Diese Probleme – in Kanada und den USA vom 19. Jh. bis zur Gegenwart – werden hier aus historischer, literatur- und kulturwissenschaftlicher Sicht vorgestellt. So kommt die wechselseitige Beeinflussung und Inspiration in autobiographischen Texten, Gedichten und Gemälden, auf der Bühne und im Musikschaffen zur Sprache. Aus der Perspektive vergleichender Ethnizitätsstudien werden kulturkritische Perspektiven eingebracht und im breiten Kontext globaler Trends eine tragfähige Theorie der Indigenität entwickelt.
Der vorliegende Sammelband widmet sich aus interdisziplinärer Perspektive der brisanten Frage des transatlantischen Verhältnisses, das seit den dramatischen Umbrüchen vor etwa 15 Jahren durch Konflikte im politischen, wirtschaftlichen, ökologischen und rechtlichen Bereich gekennzeichnet ist. Profilierte österreichische, deutsche und amerikanische Vertreter der Fächer Völkerrecht und Politikwissenschaft, Soziologie und Philosophie, Experten auf dem Gebiet der Wirtschaftswissenschaft, des Privat- und Verfassungsrechtes, auf dem Gebiet der Medien sowie der Kulturwissenschaft analysieren die bestehenden Differenzen zwischen der amerikanischen Führungsmacht und dem in einem dynamischen Prozess des Erweiterns und Zusammenwachsens befindlichen Europa. Die vorgelegten Aufsätze spiegeln die Sorge von europäischen und amerikanischen Intellektuellen über den wachsenden Graben zwischen den durch historische Bande und ethische Ideale verbundenen Kontinenten wider und sind als Beitrag zum notwendigen Dialog im Bewusstsein um die gemeinsamen Werte zu verstehen.
