Group proposal

Societal Representations of Public and Collective Identity Formation

Catherine Eisenhauer

Robert Frankel

John O'Meara

Abstract

Every individual clings to the notion of a personal identity. Likewise all groups cling to the idea of a collective identity. And yet, identity has many faces. Look at the notion of citizenship. There is legal citizenship, cultural citizenship, and now biological citizenship. If there are so many things with which an individual can identify, how can one deconstruct the complex process of identity formation? Our group has concluded that the best method of approach is one that rivals the complexity of the subject matter. Hence, our group shall embark on three strings of analysis relating to the issue of identity formation.

While we may not understand the intricacies of identity formation, it is not debatable that the formation is influenced by context. In this way, we may expect cornerstones and major events in history to be distinctly present and influential in the identities of the people of that time. And thus we look to Berlin. To be sure, the Berlin wall has been a historical watershed of debate and analysis, marking it as a distinctly relevant symbol in German history. We wish to look at the specific influence the wall had as a border and as n influential figure in identity formation for the German public. John shall look at the concrete role in the lives of Germans before and after 1989. Specifically, he shall analyze the lives of the guards. Robert will look at the unconscious formation of identity in film. And Catherine shall analyze the way identity formation and its role in the development of intersubjectivity.

 

 

Background

How does the individual come to form an identity? And if every individual is to have a unique identity, how then is a collective to have a singular identity unto itself? We all define ourselves based upon the context of our lives. I compose an identity as a college student; and likewise we form a collective identity as a student body. The Berlin Wall was a driving force and symbol in the lives of Germans. Without the wall, there would be no east. There would be no west. And yet, to this day, these terms are used to define places and people. As a group we wish to look at the way in which the wall has entered the process of identity formation, both at a collective and individual level.

In order to maximize understanding, our group shall approach analysis of identity formation from three different angles. Intensity formation influences not only the individual, but the way in which the individual represents him or herself and the way in which he or she in turn interacts with society. Each step of formation and interaction is complex and multilateral, thus meriting its own analysis. It is for this reason that our group has chosen to approach the topic from three unique angles. John will look at the formation of a collective identity with relation to the wall; specifically looking at the guards, who’s daily routine was absorbed in the presence of the wall. The lengths to which the guards identify their existence in terms of the wall speak to the role of the wall in the creation of identity. Robert’s analysis will consider the subconscious representations of formation film. Just as no artist can create an objective self-portrait, so too does film unintentionally embody societal and cultural conceptions of the times. These conceptions speak to the way in which a public identity is formed—the way in which society views itself, both macroscopically and subconsciously. Finally, Catherine will analyze the influence of identity formation on intersubjectivity. The way in which we define ourselves and the way in which we define others deeply influences the way we lead our lives.

Robert’s focus is on the subconscious portrayal of the Wall’s impact on the collective German psyche in film. More precisely, he will examine movies created during the Communist occupation from 1961 to 1989 – in short, the effect of the Wall on filmmakers while the Wall was in place. Robert will closely examine the discrepancies and similarities in subtle auteurship between West German and East German cinema. He will use 1950s American B-movies and post-war Japanese cinema as points of additional reference and will follow up by researching similar examples from alternate international cinema as needed.  Robert will base his findings on the link between the construction of the Berlin Wall and the rise of certain cinematic depictions of related anxieties and conceits that appear to personify the subconscious societal, political, and cultural reactions to the presence of the new border. Subconscious formations of identity are uniquely telling of the extent to which the wall influenced Germans at the most basic of levels.

John’s analysis will focus on how the wall influenced the lives of the German public, specifically in the case of the guards. The guards lived, breathed, and were inextricably tied to the wall. Even the term guard begs the question: what did they guard? We refer to them by their occupation, which is predicated on, and defined by, the existence of the wall. What did this mean for the guards themselves? It has entirely distorted the way we and the German public view them; that much is clear by the objectified way in which we reference them. But did the guards themselves come to define their identities based upon the wall? And perhaps more importantly, what did they do when the wall was taken down? If the guards define themselves by the wall, then it stands to reason that they would necessarily be forced to redefine themselves once the wall was torn down. Perhaps such a redefinition was conscious, manifest in a feeling of emptiness when the wall was removed from their daily routine. But perhaps it was subtle. John will aim to answer these questions and study these concepts during his time in Berlin. Predominantly, this shall be done through interviewing the guards, and researching the way in which guards lived.

Catherine will research the more abstract application of identity formation through her study of intersubjectivity. Not only do we form an identity for ourselves, but so do does everyone create a perceived identity of others. This perception is often one of objectification. Why is this the case?  And can we ever overcome it?  Catherine will look at the way in which a mode of intersubjectivity is formed and the way in which personal and collective identities influence interaction. To do this she will observe interactions between individuals from different parts of Berlin and interview individuals to gain an understanding of the way in which individuals in Berlin view relationships. Further, she will look to academic views on the subject to increase the depth of her understanding.

Through our combined efforts our group will provide a multifaceted understanding of the importance of identity formation. Robert speaks to the unconscious influences of our surroundings by looking to representations in film. John will then provide a more concrete analysis through his interviews with the guards. Finally, Catherine will provide an understanding of the abstract implications of identity formation in the development of intersubjective relationships. In this way, our group will create a complex understanding of identity formation that can in turn be used to increase personal and cultural understanding.

John’s question:

 

            It’s the damnedest thing, the end. It’s a culmination, or an absolution of sorts.  It’s a chance to make another chance.  Heck, it’s even a Doors song.  Human history is pocked with the end of things; they lend themselves to momentous occasions.  My project for Berlin is an inquiry regarding the end of the Wall itself and those who stood upon it – metaphorically and physically.

 

            As I have reiterated time and time again in class and on my blog, my main interest is the livelihoods of the Berlin guards immediately after the Wall fell.  The scenario of “the Wall is gone, now what?” continues to fascinate me.  What did the guards do?  It is likened to what the horse buggy repairman did once Ford made his Model Ts, or what the 8-track store did once Sony made their Walkmans, but so much more loaded.  The Berlin Wall guards worked around the clock. They received shoot-to-kill orders.  They stood along the symbol of austere Soviet life, looking at the exciting, prosperous West for 38 years—then it ended.  My five focal points for this aspect of the project will be: 1) what the guards’ reactions were to the fall of the Berlin Wall, 2) what they did (jobs, activities, lifestyles, leaving Berlin, etc.) when the Wall came down, 3) which lifestyle they prefer: Soviet Communist or capitalist Berlin, 4) how the Wall continues to affect their lives, and 5) to what degree working on the Wall affected their life.  In order to get a holistic sense of life on the Wall, and to produce a course-fulfilling project, I will need to speak to a good amount of guards.  I will talk with Manuela as the summer begins and start compiling a database of known Berlin Wall guards who stayed in the city.  I expect there to a pro-Berlin bias from the guards I meet in Berlin, of course, but my inquiries will be geared to find out the condition of the whole group.  In fact, I think it will be more interesting to hear about the guards who were forced or chose to leave Berlin in 1989.

 

            Since the blanket theme for our group is “intersubjectivity,” my project necessitates a dual focus: the livelihoods of guards after the Wall fell, as described previously, but also the relationship those guards formed with the Wall while it stood strong.  My supposition is that the guards did not like their role as guards; when I close my eyes I don’t picture schnitz and giggles.  And so it will be very interesting to learn how the guards’ sentiments of the Wall manifested in their lives.  Did they personify their section of Wall with a name or personality?  Did the symbolism of the Wall impose itself on their psyche in the same way as the Berliners it encompassed?  And does their tenure with the Wall still affect them today? (I should restrain from listing all the questions I want to ask; there is a page limit, after all.)

 

            This smattering of questions will form the basis of my work in Berlin.  I am hoping to find former guards, sit down somewhere with a cold beer and a bratwurst, and talk.  Coming from an upbringing where the best association I have with a border is “Borders” bookstore, I realize that I probably can’t imagine the emotional and sociocultural impact of the Berlin Wall.  To compensate, I’ll talk to people. Establishing a personal connection with the ex-guard(s) will be vital to acquaint myself with their experience; I do not believe that a stilted interview or impersonal correspondence will produce good analysis of the guards’ collective identity, and therefore the intersubjective reality of 1961-’89 Berlin life for them.

 

John’s Analysis of Cultural Sensitivity:

 

            The subject of Communism and the Berlin Wall intrinsically accompanies a necessity for cultural interpretation and sensitivity.  Most Berliners were affected by the Soviet’s Wall and its subsequent demise, and so it would be asinine for me to show up and unreservedly demand answers to my questions.  A certain degree of proviso must be met.  In regards to any awkwardness or reluctance to talk about the Wall, I hope my informal approach to questioning (and life) will ease any anxiety the guards’ have.  That is why I would like to talk with, chat with, or shoot the shit with the guards rather than ‘investigate’ or ‘interrogate.’  The Soviet epoch of ’61 to ’89 must have been a difficult time for many, the guards especially.  That given, I will talk to them studiously and diligently, but with a slight sense of restraint for recognition of their tribulations.

 

John’s lack of a daily schedule:

 

            The discussions with the guards will compose the bulk of my research for this project, which does not lend itself well to a planned-in-advance approach.  I will start bugging Manuela to sniff out ex-guards in Berlin, and I will attempt to get a hold of them before we leave for Germany, but nothing is set in stone yet.  So far, I have only been able to look at information on the Mauer Museum—dedicated to Checkpoint Charlie and Berlin Wall guards—and some research on the Stasi.  As a family friend warned a few weeks ago, former Communist Berliner guards don’t exactly list themselves in the Yellow Pages.  The lack of attainable information is not necessarily discouraging; I just need to search a little harder while I’m in Berlin.  I am excited to meet with Manuela, speak to quondam Berlin Wall guards, and learn about their lives’ paths.  But, unfortunately, I would be remiss to set a daily schedule at this point in the process.  My goal is to meet with at least ten guards in the first two weeks, but at this point I do not know if that number could be too low or too high.  What I can assure the group is that I will plug away with this project until I am satisfied with how well I have learned and related the guards’ story.

 

References:

 

            - Mauer Museum in Berlin

            - Stasi Musuem (as suggested by Shawn and Julie)