GDR writers and the people parted company when the phrase “Wir sind das Volk” (‘We are the people’) changed to a more nationalist phrase, “Wir sind ein Volk” (‘We are one people’) (Mews 4). “Wir sind ein Volk” was ironic because it reminded people that they did not have any democratic rights nor should they demand rights (ibid). “Für unser Land” (For our country) was signed by major GDR writers on November 28, 1989 (ibid). This was a plea for a socialist alternative to the FDR (ibid). Christa Wolf compared Nazi Germany and the GDR and said “versteinerte, vom Überwachungsstaat erdrückte Gesellschaft” ‘a fossilized society, crushed by the surveillance state’ (Mews 5).
Other authors voiced their opinions as well. Different from Christa Wolf, Wolf Biermann, a singer and poet, lived in both parts of Germany (Mews 5). He lived in the GDR but was dissatisfied with the SED (Socialist Unity Party) (Mews 5). A former Chancellor of the Federal Republic, Willy Brandt saw unification as a process motivated by the yearning of the people in both parts of Germany for establishing one state (Mews 8). …show more content…
The writers promoted socialism and they were in favor of it which made people not rebel or question it right away. After the fall of the Wall, the people saw their writers in a different way (Keinbaum and Grote 230). People were now questioning if East German writers were working in collaboration and catered to the communist government that prolonged the socialist movement and by staying silent aided in the Wall being built (ibid). The readers turned against the writers (ibid). Some people viewed the writers as a part of problem and not a solution (ibid). Wolf’s readers thought that she should have spoken up more about what she believed in, even if that means possibly getting in trouble (Keinbaum and Grote
Other authors voiced their opinions as well. Different from Christa Wolf, Wolf Biermann, a singer and poet, lived in both parts of Germany (Mews 5). He lived in the GDR but was dissatisfied with the SED (Socialist Unity Party) (Mews 5). A former Chancellor of the Federal Republic, Willy Brandt saw unification as a process motivated by the yearning of the people in both parts of Germany for establishing one state (Mews 8). …show more content…
The writers promoted socialism and they were in favor of it which made people not rebel or question it right away. After the fall of the Wall, the people saw their writers in a different way (Keinbaum and Grote 230). People were now questioning if East German writers were working in collaboration and catered to the communist government that prolonged the socialist movement and by staying silent aided in the Wall being built (ibid). The readers turned against the writers (ibid). Some people viewed the writers as a part of problem and not a solution (ibid). Wolf’s readers thought that she should have spoken up more about what she believed in, even if that means possibly getting in trouble (Keinbaum and Grote