Evolution of “German Guilt” Theme in Bernhard Schlink’s Novels: From “The Homecoming” (“Die Heimkehr”) to “The Granddaughter” (“Die Enkelin”)

This article presents a comparative analysis of the evolution of the theme of German guilt within the works of Bernhard Schlink situated in the context of twentieth- and twenty-first-century German-language literature. The novelty of this study lies in its examination of how the problem of German guilt transforms into an association with terrorism as a phenomenon. Drawing on novels such as The Homecoming (2006), Woman on the Stairs (2014), Three Days (2008), Olga (2018), and The Granddaughter (2021), it is demonstrated that the relevance of this topic remains strong, particularly among Germanspeaking audiences, due to their enduring interest in questions related to German guilt. It has been established that in the fictional universe created by Bernhard Schlink, this issue expands beyond mere historical or political considerations into broader philosophical concerns regarding justice and overcoming past misconceptions. The authors conclude that according to Schlink's perspective, reconciliation between generations and preventing further tragic events rooted in the legacy of German guilt can only be achieved through mutual forgiveness, repentance, and empathy. Furthermore, it is argued that exploring the experience of German guilt and confronting the past provides one possible path toward redefining contemporary German national identity.

Bernhard Schlink, German guilt, stylistic minimalism, collective memory, Karl Jaspers