Characterization and Emotional Distance: Works like Thomas Mann’s Doctor Faustus use characters such as Adrian Leverkühn to embody a distinctly German form of emotional restraint and detachment. Leverkühn is portrayed as a brilliant but emotionally distant figure, unable to connect personally with others. This detachment is interpreted as a facet of the German character, emphasizing performance, discipline, and the suppression of personal feelings in favor of professional or artistic achievement.

Narrative Technique and Reported Speech: German literature often employs reported speech and a narrative style that maintains distance from the characters’ inner emotions. For example, Martin Walser’s Ein fliehendes Pferd (Runaway Horse) uses formal mastery and reported speech to keep the narrative focused on external actions and dialogues rather than emotional outbursts. This technique creates an atmosphere where even intense personal interactions are filtered through a lens of restraint and objectivity, mirroring the unemotional delivery of feedback in professional settings.