Kontextualisierung von Ehe und Ehelosigkeit: Weibliche Lebensentwuerfe in den Romanen von Friederike Helene Unger (German text)

This study outlines the philosophical and pedagogical discourse of the 18th century in regard to the role of women, their appropriate education, and how these factors influenced the process of socialization for women. At that time, a woman was defined by her relationship to her husband and family, by her role as spouse, housewife and mother which contrasted sharply with a woman's self-determination outside the institution of marriage. This freedom of self-development became only possible at the turn of the century, after a reform of the divorce laws and growing insistence that women have a claim to equal education.; Within this framework, six novels by Friederike Helene Unger, an author who was very well known and received at her time, but whose work is almost forgotten today, are analyzed. It is explored how the real life situation of women is reflected in these literary texts and which alternative forms of life the author offers to overcome the patriarchal system. Central to this study are two topics, which run through all of the author's works; the contextualization of marriage and life outside of marriage as well as the education of women and the opportunities it opens up. The novels chosen are Unger's well-known Julchen Grunthal: Eine Pensionsgeschichte (1784/1787) and Bekenntnisse einer schonen Seele. Yon ihr selbst geschrieben (1806). Included are also the far lesser known Grafinn Pauline (1800); Melanie, das Findelkind (1804); Die Franzosen in Berlin oder Serene an Clementinen in den Jahren 1806, 7, 8: Ein Sittengemalde (1809); and Der junge Franzose and das deutsche Madchen: Wenn man will, ein Roman (1810). This dissertation seeks to contribute to an enhanced appreciation of this neglected author, whose rich literary work deserves broader recognition.