The historical development of short stories in German literature and their role in reflecting social conditions

In this Master's Thesis, the historical development of this genre and its role in reflecting social conditions are emphasized by examining the causes and effects of the Second World War and the short stories written in the Literature of Destruction that emerged in this period after the war. The aim of the study is to find answers to the following basic questions: "What are the effects of the Second World War on society and literature?", "What are the similarities or differences between novels and short stories?", "What is the connection of short stories with the Second World War?", "What are the reasons for writers to write short stories in the post-war period?", "What is the importance of short stories in the post-war period?".With regard to the social and historical background of the post Second World War period and the period in which the short stories were written, extra-textual analysis methods such as historical and sociological criticism were used. While analysing the short stories that emerged after the war and the novels as a genre written before it, the method of "text-internal" criticism was used. In addition, "biographical criticism" and "historical positivist criticism method" were used while making use of the data on the authors and works of these genres discussed in this framework. When this study is viewed holistically, the "eclectic method", which blends different methods of criticism selected in accordance with the object of study, has been used. Due to the devastation caused by the war, mental crises, time constraints and similar reasons, the literati created the short story genre and this short story genre, which meets the artistic needs of the society, has been very important for German literature.