"A Little Susceptible to the Supernatural?": On Christa Wolf

Abstract

This article examines the thematization of prophecy, clairvoyance, and extraordinary or psychic healing in the writings of Christa Wolf. It situates Wolf's thematization of supernaturalist elements and paranormal abilities in relation to her critique of the normative "scientific," i.e., purely naturalistic or materialist Weltanschauung shared by capitalist and socialist patriarchal societies alike and points out the feminist implications of her treatment of intuitive, parapsychological, spiritual, and supernaturalist motifs. (ML)