Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

German

Major Professor

Maria Stehle

Committee Members

Stephanie Ohnesorg, Sarah V. Eldridge

Abstract

This thesis explores the themes of sexual harassment and objectification of women and asks the question of how the female protagonists in DEFA films struggle to find their identity in a field or society dominated by men. Two of the films directed by Konrad Wolf and produced by the stateowned film studio DEFA (Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft) in the early and late East German film periods. The films Sonnensucher (1957) and Solo Sunny (1980) portray women’s experiences as they struggle to fit into society. The female main characters in these films try to stay relevant and successful despite all odds. These films also show more broadly how people perceived gender roles and the place of women in society at two moments in German history: the 1950s and the late 1970s. This study reveals how each film depicts how men of varying classes and positions of power use their powers differently. Some abused their power, while some did not, even when they had the opportunity. It also examines Konrad Wolf’s different perceptions of society during the early DEFA period and the changes in the late 70s. Many scholarly works have discussed various aspects of women’s experience during the post-war era, ranging from gender roles to discrimination in the workplace, societal pressures, and economic precarity. This thesis builds on this research by focusing on depictions of abuse of women and the limitations they face in society and professional settings as portrayed in DEFA films.

Keywords: Sexual Harassment, Objectification, DEFA, Women, Gender Dynamics, Konrad Wolf.

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