Im Westen nichts Neues. (All Quiet on the Western Front, 2022). This Oscar-winning adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel presents World War I from a German soldier’s perspective. The film meticulously reconstructs the horrors and motivations of war, focusing on the evidence of human suffering, bureaucratic decision-making, and the negotiations leading to the armistice. Its narrative avoids stereotypes and instead seeks to understand the causes and consequences of conflict through detailed, fact-based storytelling.
literature
principles not feeling
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s dramas, such as Torquato Tasso and Iphigenie auf Tauris, are notable for their exploration of conflict through rational dialogue and the pursuit of objective truth. Characters in these works often engage in intense intellectual or ethical debates, but the disagreements remain focused on principles or duties, not personal animosity. The emphasis is on the matter at hand—be it justice, truth, or duty—rather than on personal feelings.
utmost seriousness
In Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks a Lübeck merchant family illustrates the German values of duty, reliability, and the sanctity of one’s word. Business agreements in the novel are treated with utmost seriousness; once made, they are honored without the need for repeated checks or reminders. The family’s decline is partly attributed to deviations from these values, highlighting their foundational importance.
reasoned discourse
Thomas Mann’s essays, especially his Deutsche Ansprache. Ein Appell an die Vernunft (German Address. An Appeal to Reason), explicitly champion the idea of rational, objective debate as a cornerstone of German culture. Mann’s literary and public works often reflect his belief that German identity is rooted in a tradition of reasoned discourse, even in times of personal or national crisis. His approach exemplifies the separation of the personal (identity, emotion) from the professional or civic duty to engage in rational debate for the common good.
Doctor Faustus
In this reimagining of the Faust legend, the protagonist Adrian Leverkühn’s life as a composer is marked by a strict separation between his artistic (professional) pursuits and his personal relationships. The narrative delves into the costs of such compartmentalization, reflecting broader themes of German culture and intellectual life.
These novels use family, business, and societal settings to highlight the German tendency to address professional or ideological matters directly, while striving to keep personal relationships unaffected by such disputes.
Tom challenges Jay
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925). In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, a man of privilege and power, confronts Jay Gatsby about his business dealings and relationship with Daisy. Tom challenges Gatsby to admit that his wealth is acquired through criminal means, asserting his dominance through aggressive, confrontational tactics.
Tom uses intimidation, personal attacks, and moral superiority to destabilize Gatsby and assert control over Daisy. He frames the interaction as a power play, showing how negotiation in American culture can be as much about positioning oneself as it is about the actual deal. The focus on personal leverage, assertiveness, and direct confrontation exemplifies the American approach to negotiation, where outcomes and power dynamics take precedence over decorum or structure.
The Tin Drum
The Tin Drum by Günter Grass (1959). Oskar Matzerath negotiates a deal with a photographer to stage various emotionally charged scenes for financial gain. Oskar is cold, calculated, and businesslike, clearly outlining the terms of each staged photograph and negotiating a precise payment structure. The photographer, however, is unnerved by Oskar’s dispassionate, methodical approach. The focus on detailed terms and rational calculations reflects a distinctly German emphasis on order, clear expectations, and financial accountability.
Faust
Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1808, 1832). In Faust’s pact with Mephistopheles, Faust, a scholar, is disillusioned with life and craves deeper meaning and fulfillment. Mephistopheles, the devil, offers to serve Faust in life in exchange for Faust’s soul in the afterlife.
The scene is structured like a contract negotiation, with both parties meticulously defining the terms and consequences. Mephistopheles is the classic hardball negotiator, pressing Faust to commit to a deal that appears advantageous but has dire consequences. Faust, in turn, tries to outwit him by adding specific conditions. The emphasis on structure, explicit terms, and legalistic language reflects the German preference for clearly defined agreements, logical arguments, and strict adherence to commitments.
Effi Briest
Effi Briest by Theodor Fontane (1896). In the confrontation between Geert von Instetten and Major Crampas, Instetten challenges Crampas to a duel after discovering that his wife Effi had an affair. The duel is framed as a matter of honor, duty, and adherence to societal rules. Instetten’s actions are driven not by personal anger but by a sense of obligation to maintain social order and follow protocol. The focus on duty, principle, and maintaining the integrity of agreements underscores the German tendency to adhere strictly to social norms and established structures.