The Tin Drum, written by renowned German author Günter Grass, is an award-winning novel set in the turbulent years following the First World War and tells the story of protagonist Oskar Matzerath. Through the narrative, Grass attempts to confront the nation's troubled past and explore Germany’s experience of World War II.
The novel begins with the birth of protagonist Oskar Matzerath. Oskar is born in 1924, in a small Free City of Danzig (modern day Gdańsk). From a very young age, Oskar is aware of the chaos that surrounds him and is often overwhelmed by it. The novel follows Matzerath's childhood and adolescence, as he lives through the German occupation of Danzig and then the post-war years.
As the novel progresses, the reader witnesses Oskar's growing awareness of the racism, violence and turmoil that has been injected into German culture since the First World War. This turmoil further affects the protagonist, who develops an aversion to growing up into an adult and instead chooses to become a ‘drummer’, or a clown, to distance himself from all the horror. Throughout the novel, Oskar uses humor, stubbornness, and a beating tin drum, to reject the guilt and shame associated with the past that clings to Germany. He also reject religion and all authority, refusing to pledge allegiance to the Nazis.
The novel revolves around the topics of the past, innocence, and the idea of growing up and taking responsibility for one's actions. Oskar confronts the horrors of World War II through his own experiences, including witnessing the suicide of his grandfather who, upon learning of Germany's defeat, tries to kill himself by covering himself in gasoline and lighting himself on fire. Oskar’s relationship with his mother, who he carries a deep love for, takes a strange turn as she starts a relationship with an old Nazi while Oskar slowly withdraws from the world. By the novel's conclusion, Oskar realizes that it is impossible to completely reject his past, a lesson he learns after he is arrested for throwing stones into supermarkets.
The Tin Drum is renowned for its unique and symbolic approach to storytelling. Grass has been praised for its extensive use of symbolism throughout the novel to create vivid descriptions of events. Furthermore, through the narration, Grass has been able to effectively convey the horror, angst, and tragedy of a nation grappling with its own guilt, while maintaining a sense of humor to keep the narrative light and accessible.
The Tin Drum can be seen as a strong literary reflection of the German experience of World War II. It serves as an important piece of writing that explored the complex and difficult aftermath of the war and the trauma of a nation firmly entrenched in the struggles of its own guilt. The novel is commonly seen as an allegory for German culture, particularly the struggle of coming to terms with the past. Through its unique narrative style, vibrant imagery, and pointed commentary, The Tin Drum successfully explores the war’s effects on Germany and provides an illuminating window into a nation still reeling from a major turning point in its history.
