Liebe, Entsagung und Tod in Effi Briest : Versuch einer thematischen Neuorientierung aufgrund der Untersuchung einiger Erzählmittel

This study presents a new thematic orientation of Effi Briest Theodor Fontane's masterpiece novel of 1895. A thorough investigation of his literary devices establishes Love, Renunciation, and Death as the main theme. In the first part of this thesis it is demonstrated that the author uses short tales and various types of literary allusions to make the theme recognizable. An examination of the roles of four colors, red, yellow, purple, and green, undertaken in the second part, allows a better understanding of the complex interrelatedness of the theme's three aspects. Red and yellow are used to signal love, both existing and lacking. Purple is tied to the concept of renunciation. Red has a second role, as an indicator of destruction and death. Yet, with the color green Fontane concludes his novel with a positive statement: love remains victorious and eternal.