Glossen 49: Schlehweins Giraffe: 1. Wende Reader für den Unterricht

Abstract

Bernd Schirmer's novel Schlehweins Giraffe (Schlehwein's Giraffe) is an intriguing and creative narrative that details the life circumstances of an unnamed character representing members of the general population and their experiences in the Wendezeit (the years surrounding the German reunification in 1989/90). It should be included in lessons on this era due to the perspectives and events discussed that are often neglected in more commonly taught materials. Glossen’s 1. Wende-Reader für den Unterricht (1st Wende-Reader for the Classroom) discusses Schlehweins Giraffe. The editors of Glossen are dedicated to creating a set of four readers, all centered on different novels. The resources are adaptable for intermediate-level to advanced-level German language learners at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The reader's materials are free and accessible online. Users, however, need to have a copy of Schlehweins Giraffe. Prior knowledge of the German Democratic Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Germany between 1945 and 1995 is crucial in understanding Schlehweins Giraffe. Luckily, the provided resources help in approaching this complex subject.

The online materials cover a range of themes. The website has a preface, written by Janine Ludwig (Academic Director of the Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program and a co-editor of Glossen), for all four Wenderomane featured in the set of Wende-Readers. The foreword includes summaries of the four novels and additional materials for the classroom, such as a timeline of significant events in 1989/1990. The online platform also provides two additional pieces by Ludwig: One on the role and portrayal of time in Schlehweins Giraffe and one that discusses Bernd Schirmer's work, including his other novels. Ludwig compares and contrasts Schirmer's novels in the second text, focusing on time and memory. Users should be aware that these texts are long and do not come with pedagogical activities. They are intended for teachers to get an overview of the contexts in which the novel appears and is discussed. If instructors want to use these sources in class, it would be in the best interest of the learners to break down these sources into smaller parts, perhaps with discussion questions focusing both on the context and the students’ reactions. It is possible to break down these texts thematically and include them in the classroom discussion activities described below.

The Wende-Reader on Schlehweins Giraffe provides general information on the plot and structure of the novel, followed by a character chart and a timeline of the events in the story and current events of the time. The character chart clearly and effectively describes the main people and their relationships through colors and symbols, engaging visual learners and making the relationships more explicit. The chart can be changed to a blank one, with the students creating their chart while reading. The timeline outlines events in the novel in conjunction with historical events of the same period, 1946–1992. This can be modified, too, by giving students a timeline with key dates to research.

Secondary literature related to the novel follows, i.e., the two texts by Ludwig described above, a conversation with Bernd Schirmer, and reviews of Schlehweins Giraffe. Ich war zu spät dran (I was too late) is an intriguing but lengthy conversation between author Bernd Schirmer and Professor Carsten Gansel. Most effectively broken into chunks, this conversation gives the reader a more robust understanding of the novel and a better knowledge of the author and his thought process. Furthermore, book reviews in German are provided, allowing one to discuss students' reactions to the book as well as reactions from others. As an extension, the students could write their own book reviews.

Moreover, there is a separate section on Bernd Schirmer, highlighting his professional experience and works. The first Wende-Reader provides the author's contact information and encourages learners to reach out to him, which is a unique activity that engages the students. Complete lists of his work and secondary literature are also available, allowing for further research and information on the author. After studying these materials, students may give a biographical presentation on Schirmer.

The provided secondary sources related to the novel and author tie in nicely with the next section, titled Für den Unterricht: Auszüge aus der Erzählung mit Diskussionsvorschlägen (For the classroom: Excerpts from the Story with Suggestions for Discussion). This section leads the readers to four didacticized main themes of the novel: language, dictatorship/followership/resistance, coming to terms/reckoning, and the fall of the wall. Each theme has quotations, passages, and discussion questions based on the excerpts and students’ reactions and reflections. The questions can be modified according to the needs and interests of the students, such as asking them to underline important arguments or write a summary in their own words. An extension activity involves the students finding additional passages for the respective themes. The four themes can be discussed in small groups, perhaps leading to group presentations or a jigsaw activity in which the learners share their ideas with each group member.

Finally, the website offers an appendix to all four Wende-Readers, including a timeline of important historical events, essential terms, secondary literature, and videos about the Wende. These resources are best utilized as prereading activities, providing students with the necessary information, context, and vocabulary.

The well-selected and level-appropriate instructional materials for teaching Schlehweins Giraffe provide opportunities for instructors to modify and expand on the resources based on the needs and interests of their students. The novel and the teaching materials address various perspectives and themes, touching on the ever-emerging importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, the characters from the novel come from different social standing and have varying background experiences, interests, skills, and perceptions of and experiences in the GDR. Yet, the characters are connected through this shared experience, and their diverse backgrounds prove to be beneficial. Additionally, the various secondary sources reflect differences in people's memory and identity as they relate to the GDR and discuss the interrelations between these concepts vis-à-vis the time before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Moreover, different learning needs are addressed through texts and visual aids, supporting a wide range of learners.

All materials are in German and have varying degrees of complexity. A shortcoming of the materials is that the website could articulate more clearly that the scholarly articles are not primarily for students but for teachers’ background knowledge. If instructors decide to use these materials in their classes, they must didacticize the articles as they are presented in their original form and length. Educators may divide these texts based on their students’ abilities and create comprehension activities that encourage group work and class discussions, connecting the primary literature with background information on themes, historical events, and people. Examples include jigsaw activities, incorporating the supplemental texts on the author and historical period, and scaffolding discussions on the form of the text and the language used. The Wende-Reader does not address grammar explicitly. The various texts show significant use of passive voice. Students may be asked to create their own book reviews or author biographies using passive voice, similar to the provided sources.

Although text-heavy, the range of resources provides a well-rounded approach to Schlehweins Giraffe, highlighting the author, the story's context, key themes, reviews of the novel, and resources for further reading. The materials are a great resource and starting point for educators to discuss the events of 1989/90 in Germany with intermediate- and advanced-level students.