A translation of Barbara Frischmuth's Die Ferienfamilie with preface

Abstract

This paper elucidates the narrative technique of the contemporary Austrian writer, Barbara Frischmuth, in the context of what it means to her to be a woman and a writer. Through a brief biographical sketch and inferences drawn from the author's personal statements, Frischmuth's world view is shown to be essentially ironic. The literary analysis centres on the use of irony in narration, with particular emphasis on two short works: Die Ferienfamilie and Die Klosterschule. -- This analysis of Frischmuth's technique supports my suggestion that an effective reading of her work requires a willingness on the part of the reader to accept ambiguity and uncertainty in the text itself. The author invites the reader to adopt a sceptical attitude to the text, to challenge and explore the possibilities of meaning inherent in the very language she employs.