Stasiland Questions

“STASILAND” :  Sample Essay Questions.

Introduction.
Looking at past examination questions suggests that questions will be often set around the following ideas:
-that the focus on ordinary people (both citizens and stasi) is important to the validity of the text.
-that the Wall and the GDR caused both physical and psychological impacts on individuals.
-that Funder’s first person narration and emotional responses add power to her non-fiction account of the GDR.

 I would like you to attempt either question 3 or 12 over the weekend, 800+ words.

1. “It is individual acts of resistance that make “Stasiland” so engaging.”
                                                                                       Discuss.

2. “This society, it was built on lies…”
     Why does Funder find it so difficult to uncover the truth?

3. “It’s not ever, really, over.”
      Why do the individuals in “Stasiland” find it so difficult to leave their pasts behind?

4. “Funder portrays all the individuals she interviews as victims-even those who were employed by the Stasi.”
                                                                                      Discuss.

5. Klaus: “I think the Stasi people have been punished enough.”
    In the light of Funder’s investigation, do you agree with Klaus?

6. “Funder’s ‘Stasiland” is largely a moving tribute to the women who survived”.
Do you agree?

7. “Anna Funder is far more than a detached reporter in the text, she is deeply involved in the story itself.”
    To what extent do you agree?

8. How does “Stasiland” portray that fear and paranoia consumes the lives of those she interviews?

9. “Much of the Stasi’s behaviour is simply absurd.” What drives this madness?

10. “The destruction of individuals’ basic humanity is the worse crime committed by the GDR regime and the Stasi.”
        Is this what Funder uncovers in her investigation?

11. “He was angry, telling me that history is made of personal stories.”
         The power of Funder’s account of the GDR lies in the individual experiences she recounts.
Discuss.

12. “Mauer im Kopt or the Wall in the Head.”
       Funder explores how the psychological legacy of the GDR’s totalitarian regime is often worse than the physical toll.”
Do you agree?

13.”…the Wall is the thing that defined him..”
   Funder explores how lives were fundamentally re shaped by the Wall.”
       To what extent do you agree?

14. “Stasiland” uses the stories of ordinary people to shed light on the reality of the GDR regime.”
       Discuss the interrelationship between the personal and the political in the text.

15. What is the effect of Funder’s first person narrative style in “Stasiland”?

16.
 Discuss the different kinds of courage demonstrated by the individuals in “Stasiland”.

17.  “Funder’s detachment as a non-German provides readers with a more credible and objective perspective on the GDR.”
         Do you agree?

18. “Funder makes no judgements of her subjects whether they were ordinary citizens or Stasi operatives; she simple records their stories and this is a strength of her account.”
Discuss.

19. “…this man turned inhumanity into humanity…”
       How do the Stasi justify their actions in “Stasiland”?

20. “Funder employs pathos, black humour and absurdity in her depiction of the GDR and Stasi regime and its activities. This strengthens the impact of her account.”
                                                                                                 Discuss.