| This thesis examines the connection between literature and psychiatry by comparing insanity and its manifestations in George Büchner's Lenz, Gerhart Hauptmann's Bahnwärter Thiel and Heinar Kipphardt's März using criteria such as causes of the illness, symptoms and consequences as related to the biographical characteristics of the literary figures.;Finally styles of lyrical representation of psychosis are analysed in detail by pointing out how the psychological illness is used in these works as a medium in order either to communicate a certain idea or to express criticism. The world of daydreaming is used to mirror reality.;In the analysis of the novel and the two novellas it becomes evident that insanity is represented in a great variety of ways which emphasizes it as a special literary phenomenon.;The literary depiction of psychopathology and the corresponding symbolism is also treated, as for example the accurate portrayal of insanity in descriptions of nature or technology. |
