The role of dialect and language styles in theme and character development in selected plays by Carl Zuckmayer

This thesis examines the various language styles used in Carl Zuckmayer's four major folk plays written between 1925 and 1931: Der fröhliche Weinberg, Schinderhannes, Katharina Knie, and Der Hauptmann von Kopenick. These plays are examined not only to reveal the extent to which Zuckmayer uses various types of speech to successfully create realistic dialogue, but also to demonstrate the author's use of language styles to enhance theme and character development. Katharina Knie, a play in which only one language style is used—the dialect of the Rhenish Palatinate—will serve mainly as a point of contrast to the other works, because dialect is used in this play only to portray realistic dialogue. The language used in Schinderhannes also serves primarily to reflect realistic speech, but does, to a limited extent, enhance character development. In the other two dramas. Der fröhliche Weinberg and Der Hauptmann von Kopenick. a variety of speaking styles is used and they play an essential role in the development of theme and character. The characters in Der fröhliche Weinberg and Der Hauptmann von Kopenick are categorized according to speaking style in order to show how language is used to distinguish each character as a representative of a certain segment of society. In both of these plays there are also characters whose speaking styles change on particular occasions. These characters are closely examined to explore the meaning behind their fluctuating speaking styles, the reasons for the alteration of their speech, and the significance of these language shifts for character and thematic development within the plays.